During Jensen Huang’s recent visit to Seoul, attendees showcased smartphones displaying stock tickers for Nvidia and Samsung instead of crypto charts.
At the same time, trading volumes on Upbit, South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, have dropped by 12.8%, signaling a significant change in retail investor sentiment.
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Korean Retail Market Shifts From Crypto to AI-Linked Stocks
South Korea is observing a clear exit from digital assets. According to data from CoinGecko, Upbit recorded $2.02 billion in 24-hour trading volume as of October 31, 2025, a decrease of over 13% in the last day.
Trading volumes have been on a downward trend for several months, highlighting a substantial decline despite the exchange’s offering of 293 listed coins, 636 trading pairs, and a Trust Score of 8/10.
The moment became iconic when Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong. Attendees exhibited stock charts instead of crypto charts, signaling a shift in market interests.
While Lee appeared aloof, Huang engaged with the audience, emphasizing the significance of the occasion. This interaction gained viral attention, embodying Korea’s transition from speculative assets toward technology-driven opportunities.
“Where have all the Korean retail investors in crypto gone? The answer is: To the stock market next door,” analyst AB Kuai Dong noted.
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Some suggest that the capital shift represents a significant transformation, not mere disinterest. Retail traders are now aligning with Korea’s national AI strategy, pursuing more stable returns compared to the erratic behavior of digital currencies.
Capital appears to be transitioning from speculative avenues to focusing on fundamental growth prospects. Korean investors are now prioritizing government-led AI industrial upgrades.
Both the government and major corporations are collaborating to deploy 260,000 GPU units, supporting an AI expansion that could eclipse the crypto sphere.
Recently, Samsung and Nvidia announced their plans for a next-generation AI megafactory collaboration. The initiative will utilize 50,000 Nvidia GPUs to automate manufacturing processes. Samsung’s AI Factory aims to streamline design, processes, equipment, operations, and quality within a cohesive intelligent network.
This announcement coincided with Nvidia’s valuation reaching $5 trillion, strengthening its position in the AI infrastructure market.
In contrast, the total cryptocurrency market cap stands at approximately $3.8 trillion as of October 31, 2025. This disparity illustrates the direction of global tech momentum.
The “Jensen moment” in Seoul may symbolize a transition, from crypto to technology equities, as retail investors seek consistency.
Worldwide, artificial intelligence has surpassed cryptocurrency as the primary growth sector. Korean investors seem eager to engage in national AI initiatives alongside leading corporations, rather than remain tethered to speculative markets lacking institutional support.
