A crypto analyst has shared insights into the recent strength in the XRP price, suggesting that South Korea may be the reason behind it. The analyst noted that the altcoin has been seeing high trading volume on South Korean exchanges, and this localized demand may be holding up its price while other altcoins struggle to gain traction. 

How South Korea Is Bolstering The Price

According to XForceGlobal South Korea is currently one of the major drivers of the XRP price action. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the analyst disclosed that the engagement and adoption from the crypto users in South Korea was a major contributor to XRP’s bullish performance.

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Currently, South Korea is one of the most active crypto markets in the world, leading in global trading volume across multiple assets. However, among the numerous cryptocurrencies in the market, XRP stands out the most within the country. The analyst has revealed that even during low trading days, XRP frequently outpaces Bitcoin, underscoring its high demand and adoption in South Korea. 

XForceGlobal has suggested that South Korea’s notable interest in XRP likely stems from its status as one of the most isolated countries in terms of crypto regulations. The analyst revealed that millions of citizens currently own the altcoin, making up about 20% of the cryptocurrency’s market cap valuation. 

Moreover, due to a lack of large-scale cross-border payment solutions, most South Koreans opt to use cryptocurrencies like XRP to facilitate transactions. This, in turn, fuels adoption and strengthens the cryptocurrency’s utility, which positively influences its price action. 

Compared to South Korea, the regulatory uncertainties and legal challenges in the United States (US) have slowed down XRP’s growth. XForceGlobal has stated that the active participation of retail institutions, strong community support, and early adoption in South Korea have helped prop up prices despite the difficulties it faced over the past years.

What The Future Holds For XRP In South Korea

While discussing the impact of South Korea’s support for XRP on its price action, XForceGlobal offered insights into the cryptocurrency’s future in the country. The analyst revealed that the market is at a pivotal moment where XRP has evolved from a speculative asset to a symbol of Korea’s dominance in the crypto market. 

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Currently, Upbit, the largest crypto exchange in South Korea, holds the most significant market share of XRP in terms of total supply. The exchange reportedly has about 6 billion XRP, accounting for roughly 5% of the entire supply. 

XForceGlobal has revealed that the continued demand from retail investors combined with Upbit’s massive XRP reserve will make South Korea a key driver to the cryptocurrency’s global future price action. 

Moving forward, the analyst has discussed XRP’s price movements on the Korean won chart, suggesting that its current action may be foreshadowing upcoming events. He pointed out that the altcoin has already formed a lower low on the chart, possibly hinting at a more controlled pullback rather than an impulsive decline — an outlook he described as “arguably bearish”.

The crypto analyst also noted that XRP may be forming a potential bottom on the Korean won chart, indicating a possible impulse to the upside and a bullish continuation.

Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com

Bitcoin, altcoins, and the stock market continued their downward trend on Friday as the trade war between the U.S. and China escalated.

Bitcoin (BTC) price dropped to $82,000, erasing some of the gains made during the Asian and European markets. Ethereum (ETH) dropped below $1,800, while the market cap of all coins fell to $2.64 trillion.

The stock market’s performance was even worse as futures tied to the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 indices plunged by over 3%. This means that these blue-chip indices have all moved into a correction. 

Trade war escalates

Bitcoin, altcoins, and equities declined after China announced its retaliatory measures against the U.S. In a statement, Beijing said it would impose a 34% tariff on all goods imported from the U.S.

In addition, China will restrict exports of certain rare earth minerals, halt sorghum imports from U.S. companies, and add 11 American firms to its unreliable entity list.

These measures mark the most significant response to Donald Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs. Other countries, especially those in Europe, have called for negotiations to prevent the trade war from expanding.

Trump and senior officials have warned that the U.S. will deliver reciprocal tariffs on any country that retaliates. They’ve urged trading partners to lower their tariffs and non-tariff barriers instead.

Therefore, Bitcoin, altcoins, and the stock market are falling as these actions lead to higher odds of a recession. Polymarket data shows that traders have boosted their recession odds to 56%. Companies like Goldman Sachs and PIMCO have also boosted their recession odds. 

These fears have pushed market sentiment into extreme territory. The CNN Money Fear and Greed Index dropped to 6, the lowest reading since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investor pessimism intensified after billionaire and former Bond King Bill Gross warned against buying the dip. He said:

“Investors should not try to ‘catch a falling knife. This is an epic economic and market event similar to 1971 and the end of the gold standard except with immediate negative consequences.”

Bitcoin, altcoins, and the stock market fall after NFP data

Markets also weakened after the U.S. released the latest nonfarm payrolls (NFP) report. The data showed that unemployment rose to 4.2% in March, up from 4.1% in February.

The economy added 228,000 jobs, beating analysts’ median forecast of 137,000. However, the manufacturing sector, which Trump aims to protect with his tariff policy, created just 1,000 jobs.

These figures will likely have minimal impact on the Federal Reserve, which remains focused on inflation and GDP growth.

Meanwhile, the bond market is signaling expectations of lower interest rates. The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 3.89%, while the 30-year and 2-year yields declined to 4.38% and 3.5%, respectively. If the Fed cuts rates, it would likely be bullish for Bitcoin, altcoins, and the broader stock market.