South Korean crypto exchange operating profits declined 78% in the first half of 2026 as trading volumes, market capitalization, and customer deposits all fell significantly. The downturn reflects a shift by retail investors toward South Korea's stock market, with the KOSPI index doubling while crypto trading volume plummeted.
The Bank for International Settlements reports that stablecoins could accelerate bank deposit outflows and disrupt monetary policy by enabling round-the-clock trading and payments. Demand for stablecoins rises during currency crises and capital controls, potentially pressuring local currencies and increasing dollar funding costs across 130 economies analyzed.
Robinhood Chain gained significant traction with over $1 billion in deposits to Morpho credit vaults in three months, while users highlighted fast settlement times for tokenized assets and new DeFi features. The blockchain ecosystem continues developing with projects building structured products, cross-chain trading, and real-world asset integrations.