AI Crypto Tokens Take South Korea by Storm, Overtaking Ripple XRP

By June 2026, artificial intelligence-focused cryptocurrencies emerged as South Korea’s top crypto sector, surpassing payment-oriented assets like XRP, according to Chainalysis. This development highlights a change in retail trading preferences within a market that has long favored Ripple XRP.

Chainalysis reviewed digital asset activity between July 2025 and June 2026, evaluating thematic sectors based on their proportion of Korean won-denominated trading volume.

East Asia's $1.2T+ crypto economy shows remarkable diversity: South Korea ($449B) leads with an AI-crypto pivot, Hong Kong sees 87% institutional growth, Japan's retail market expands 36% on DEXs, and China's stablecoin P2P wallets grew 43x. Read our new chapter from the 2026…

— Chainalysis (@chainalysis) October 5, 2026

Amid this retail shift, reports have noted an exploratory evaluation between Ripple and Meritz regarding custody and tokenization infrastructure. A crucial distinction remains between evolving market trends and a fully functioning product.

This distinction is vital for observers distinguishing between Ripple’s institutional partnerships and verified XRP utilization. Data from Chainalysis confirm that AI sectors outpaced other defined thematic categories, but they do not indicate that XRP has vanished from Korean exchanges or that corporate expansion by Ripple is directly driving token demand.

AI Tokens Lead the Crypto Rotation in South Korea

(SOURCE: CoinGecko)

Chainalysis reported that AI cryptocurrencies became South Korea’s most sought-after thematically defined investment group by June 2026. The study defines this category as digital assets connected to AI projects or AI infrastructure, comparing sectors by their slice of won-denominated trading rather than total Korean crypto volume.

In terms of reported trading volume, the leading AI-associated tokens included Worldcoin (WLD) at $7.41Bn, SAHARA at $3.2Bn, VIRTUAL at $2.7Bn, BIO at $2Bn, and NEAR at $1.7Bn. The leaderboard has experienced turnover as well: VIRTUAL and KAITO fronted AI tokens during 2025 before Worldcoin and SAHARA took the lead.

According to Chainalysis, South Korean retail participants engaged with the AI sector more rapidly and aggressively than traders in other evaluated regions. Such high turnover demonstrates that thematic leadership can pivot quickly. This data captures activity strictly during the measurement timeframe and does not guarantee sustained interest in any specific token or imply that every trade signals a long-term position.

The broader South Korean cryptocurrency market expanded during this window as well. Chainalysis tracked roughly $449Bn in overall crypto transactions, representing a 12.3% increase, alongside a 16.3% growth in the domestic exchange ecosystem. These metrics illustrate general market enlargement rather than designating XRP as a catalyst or proving that the token participated equally in that expansion.

Why the AI Rotation Matters for Ripple XRP

HUGE: South Korea is preparing to bring $7 TRILLION worth stocks, bonds and funds onto blockchain rails from February 2027! $AVAX $XRP

And there is two ecosystems already have serious Korean connections…

Hanwha Investment & Securities has built a HUGE tokenised securities… pic.twitter.com/DO2Y5C1DLr

— ALLINCRYPTO (@RealAllinCrypto) October 3, 2026

During June 2026, trading activity for South Korean AI crypto outpaced other currencies, registering a won-denominated share that was 19.5 times higher than that of the yen. AI-related cryptocurrencies represented 0.91% of yen-denominated trades, compared to 1.02% for euros, 0.20% for the Brazilian real, and 0.03% for British pounds.

Observers link this momentum to South Korea’s heavy involvement in the artificial intelligence investment cycle, heavily influenced by major memory-chip producer SK Hynix. Retail investors primarily fuel this marketplace, highlighting substantial enthusiasm for AI tokens.

Even though AI assets have outstripped payment tokens, this does not imply that Ripple XRP has lost its relevance in South Korea. The ongoing assessment between Ripple and Meritz remains in an exploratory phase, lacking formal validation of actual XRP transaction volumes or practical application.

Upcoming milestones—such as an officially announced product or commercial launch—will help clarify Ripple’s market standing, while AI-centric assets currently command the retail trading landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which crypto category became South Korea’s leading sector by June 2026?
  AI-linked cryptocurrencies became South Korea’s leading crypto category, overtaking payment-focused assets like XRP according to Chainalysis data.
• What was the total crypto activity recorded in South Korea during the period?
  Chainalysis recorded approximately $449 billion in crypto activity, reflecting a 12.3% increase.
• Which AI-linked tokens recorded the highest trading volumes?
  The leading AI tokens included Worldcoin (WLD) at $7.41Bn, SAHARA at $3.2Bn, VIRTUAL at $2.7Bn, BIO at $2Bn, and NEAR at $1.7Bn.
• What is the current status of the Ripple-Meritz relationship?
  Reports indicate an exploratory review regarding custody and tokenization infrastructure, though it remains in an exploratory phase without confirmation of active XRP usage or transaction volumes.

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