Korea's digital asset economy reached $449.1 billion from July 2025 to June 2026, the largest in East Asia, data showed Tuesday, as retail investors increasingly turned to artificial intelligence (AI)-related cryptocurrencies. According to global blockchain data platform Chainalysis' report, "East Asia Crypto Adoption Report: South Korea's AI Trade Comes to Crypto," Korea's crypto economy grew 12.3 percent from the previous one-year period to record $449.1 billion. Japan followed at $228.3 billion, with Hong Kong at $192.2 billion, China at $176.3 billion and Taiwan at $140.4 billion. The growth came largely from Korea's retail-driven crypto market, even amid limited participation by major financial institutions. The report highlighted AI-related cryptocurrencies as one of the clearest signs of that retail enthusiasm. As Korean investors piled into shares of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix amid an AI-fueled stock market rally, they also poured money into digital assets linked to AI-focused projects and infrastructure. As of June 2026, AI-related cryptocurrencies accounted for about 18 p