Asia leads global crypto market in 2025, outpacing U.S. and Europe
Asia is seeing rapid growth in crypto adoption, outpacing regions such as the United States and Europe in trading, institutional investment, and retail participation.
- Asia has become the fastest-growing driver of crypto activity in 2025.
- South Korea continues to show strong local demand for Bitcoin, with a persistent trading among investors throughout the year.
- APAC trading volume increased 69% year-over-year, from $1.4 trillion in June 2024 to $2.36 trillion in June 2025, driven by countries like Vietnam, Pakistan, India, and South Korea.
- Corporate adoption is rising, with 56% of Asia-based firms actively using stablecoins and another 40% preparing to adopt them.
The global crypto market is shifting, and Asia is leading the charge. So far this year, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has emerged as the fastest-growing driver of crypto activity, outperforming both the U.S. and Europe in trading volume, institutional adoption, and retail participation.
A recent CryptoQuant analysis has pointed to analysis of the Korea Premium Index, which measures how much more Bitcoin trades on Korean exchanges compared to global averages, shows it has remained positive all year, ranging between +1.5% and +8%. The consistent positive figure reflects strong demand and active trading among Korean investors.
At the same time, the Bitcoin Exchange Reserve Ratio, which compares U.S.-based to offshore exchanges, indicates a clear eastward flow of liquidity. The ratio fell from 0.10 in late 2024 to -0.24 by September 2025, showing that both institutional and retail capital are increasingly concentrated on offshore platforms like Binance and OKX.
Data from Chainalysis highlights the scale of this growth. APAC’s trading volume jumped 69% year-over-year, rising from $1.4 trillion in June 2024 to $2.36 trillion in June 2025. Key contributors include Vietnam, Pakistan, India, and South Korea, making APAC the world’s fastest-growing crypto market this year.
The combined trend suggests that APAC could emerge as the driving force of the next crypto market cycle, particularly if adoption and interest continue to grow.
Stablecoin boom and treasury bets boost crypto adoption in Asia
Asia’s crypto market maturity is also reflected in the rapid growth of stablecoins and corporate crypto treasuries. A recent Fireblocks report shows 56% of Asia-based firms actively use stablecoins, while another 40% are preparing to adopt, placing Asia far ahead of Europe and North America in this sector.
Regulatory clarity and innovation have further strengthened Asia’s stablecoin ecosystem, with regions like Hong Kong developing formal frameworks for adoption while the likes of China and Japan eye similar developments.
Parallel to this is the rise of Bitcoin treasury strategies among Asian corporations. About 21 treasury companies spread across China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand now hold BTC on their various balance sheets, while several governments have also signaled interest in establishing national crypto reserves.
Metaplanet, Asia’s leading Bitcoin treasury firm has committed to acquiring 210,000 BTC by 2027, and currently holds over 25,000 BTC in treasury. Other firms like Taiwan-based Sora Ventures have also launched their various funds targeting long-term accumulation, suggesting that combined holdings out of the APAC region may grow significantly in the coming months.
Other initiatives, like Hong Kong’s HashKey Group and its $500 million multi-currency DAT fund highlight Asia’s growing commitment to using crypto as a strategic reserve asset. With clear regulations, rising adoption, and expanding innovation, the region is positioning itself as a strong contender to the likes of U.S. and Europe in global crypto adoption.
