South Koreans are paying a full 3% more to buy bitcoin (BTC) than their U.S. counterparts as they seek protection from the plummeting won, CryptoQuant data show.

Priced in won, the largest cryptocurrency is valued at 145,000,000 ($98,600) on the country’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit. That compares with about $96,700 on Coinbase (COIN).

The move follows a vote by the South Korean parliament to impeach Han Duck-soo, the prime minister and acting president, just weeks after impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol. The won slumped a 15-year low against the dollar.

“This unfolding saga is fundamentally about election fraud and the erosion of trust in South Korea’s National Election Commission (NEC),” said Jeff Park, head of alpha strategies at investment manager Bitwise, in a post on X. “The use of impeachment as a political tool, combined with allegations of foreign election interference, underscores the fragility of democracy in the face of disinformation. This is not just a Korean story; it’s a warning for democracies worldwide.”

A closely followed analyst says the crypto bull market’s end is much closer than most traders realize.

In a new thread on the social media platform X, Jason Pizzino tells his 123,400 followers that investor sentiment indicates traders now are closer to the end of the bull market than the start.

“Bitcoin and crypto ‘end-stage’ emotional volatility has dramatically increased which only suggests we are much closer to the end than the beginning of the cycle.

That might seem like an obvious statement now, but wait until the market gets closer to the final top; it won’t be so obvious which is generally a signal within itself.”

In an accompanying video update, Pizzino says historically, when the market gets excited and overconfident, stagnation tends to follow.

“I think a lot of people believe this cycle should run until the end of 2025, but what if we’re seeing a lot of that excitement come back into the market?

Every time it goes up, all I see is just everyone getting super bullish and then it pauses for a bit, corrects, and then we start on the next move. So I’m just keeping an open mind.”

The trader’s chart uses Bitcoin (BTC) as an example. According to Pizzino, the top crypto asset by market cap may correct or trade sideways all the way until October 2025.

“Looking somewhere [between] Q2 out to Q3, just the beginning of Q4… Most people can’t handle six to 10 months.

They talked about a drop of one month and they all freaked out yesterday, it’s absolutely bonkers out there, which is why I think we are in those final moves, basically the end of the cycle.”

BTC is trading at $98,900 at time of writing, a marginal increase on the day.

Don’t Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox

Check Price Action

Follow us on X, Facebook and Telegram

Surf The Daily Hodl Mix

&nbsp

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.

Generated Image: Midjourney

President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to ensure all remaining Bitcoin is “made in the USA” has sparked widespread debate. Announced during a meeting with crypto mining executives, the pledge reflects a shift in Trump’s stance on digital currencies. Despite this commitment, experts caution that achieving this goal may be unattainable due to various reasons discussed in this article.

Is Donald Trump Bitcoin Strategy Achievable?

Recent data indicate that 95% of Bitcoin has already been mined, leaving only a small fraction available for production. This reality makes President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to produce Bitcoin exclusively within the United States highly challenging. Bitcoin mining operates on a decentralized network, meaning no single country or entity can control the process.

Additionally, global mining operations dominate the industry, with US crypto miners contributing less than 50% of the total computing power. This disparity underscores the difficulty of centralizing Bitcoin production to a single nation. The highly competitive nature of the sector further complicates efforts to shift the balance entirely to domestic players.

More so, these challenges erupt even as Japan rejects Bitcoin for national reserves, prioritizing stability in its foreign exchange strategy. The government highlighted BTC price volatility and misalignment with traditional financial systems. 

Interestingly, this cautious stance contrasts sharply with other Japanese private entities. For example, Japan’s MicroStrategy, Metaplanet, invested ¥9.5 billion to purchase 617 BTC, raising its total holdings to 1,761.98 BTC. This move boosted its Bitcoin treasury by 56% amid a price dip. The company reported a 309% yield on its BTC holdings in Q4, with CEO Simon Gerovich emphasizing Bitcoin’s role in safeguarding capital against the declining Yen. 

Global Competition and Equipment Reliance Challenges

Bitcoin mining is increasingly driven by international players with deep resources, such as miners in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. These regions often benefit from lower energy costs and fewer regulatory barriers, providing an edge over US operations. For example, countries like Ethiopia and Argentina offer access to cheap hydropower and stable revenue streams in US dollars. This boosts their competitiveness in the market.

Adding to the challenge, most Bitcoin mining equipment is manufactured by Chinese companies, particularly Bitmain. A trade war or tariff policies under Donald Trump’s administration could raise the cost of importing essential machinery, creating additional obstacles for US crypto miners.

However, despite the ambitious pledge, Donald Trump has found support from several US-based mining companies, such as CleanSpark Inc. and Riot Platforms Inc. These companies anticipate that his administration will reduce environmental regulations and increase industry support. However, some US miners are even turning to overseas partnerships to mitigate rising energy costs at home.

For instance, MARA Holdings Inc. has announced a joint venture with an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund to establish one of the largest mining farms in the Middle East. While Donald Trump’s commitment to making Bitcoin “made in the USA” aligns with his broader economic goals, it faces structural and logistical barriers.

✓ Share:

Ronny Mugendi

Ronny Mugendi is a seasoned crypto journalist with four years of professional experience, having contributed significantly to various media outlets on cryptocurrency trends and technologies. With over 4000 published articles across various media outlets, he aims to inform, educate and introduce more people to the Blockchain and DeFi world. Outside of his journalism career, Ronny enjoys the thrill of bike riding, exploring new trails and landscapes.

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.