South Korea Sees $367M Stablecoin Outflow Amid 18 Months of Net Outflows

August 2, 2026 · Markets · CryptoRefuge Team

South Korea saw $367 million more in stablecoin outflows than inflows in June, marking 18 months of net outflows as investors seek high-risk derivatives on foreign exchanges.

$1.8B in stablecoins were sent to foreign platforms, while $1.44B were received from foreign platforms.

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The persistent outflow of stablecoins from South Korea has raised concerns among lawmakers, with warnings that "as the ‘coin move’ from domestic to overseas spreads, funds are flowing abroad, and investors are being defenseless against high-risk derivatives on foreign exchanges."

"As the ‘coin move’ from domestic to overseas spreads, funds are flowing abroad, and investors are being defenseless against high-risk derivatives on foreign exchanges." — Lee Jong-wook, lawmaker, National Assembly’s finance committee for the People Power Party This trend has been ongoing for 18 months, with June being the latest month to record net outflows.

The total value of stablecoins sent to foreign platforms from South Korea is substantial, with $1.8 billion in outflows compared to $1.44 billion in inflows. 77.6% of outflows are being used to purchase foreign shares, indicating a strong appetite for higher returns on investments through high-risk derivatives.

The outflow of stablecoins has significant implications for South Korea's financial markets, with $10.4B in stablecoin outflows and $1.1B in outflows in the second quarter. Regulators are closely monitoring the situation, concerned about the potential risks associated with high-risk derivatives on foreign exchanges.

Analysis: If the outflow of stablecoins continues, it could lead to a significant decrease in liquidity in the country's financial markets, decreasing investor confidence and making it more challenging for companies to raise capital. Conversely, if investors reduce their exposure to high-risk derivatives, it could lead to a decrease in outflows and an increase in inflows, stabilizing the market.

The situation will be closely monitored by regulators and investors alike, with a focus on the $470M in foreign shares bought by Korean investors in June. As the trend continues, increased scrutiny of high-risk derivatives on foreign exchanges and potentially stricter regulations to protect investors are likely.