
Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) recorded 48% return volatility this year, below the KOSPI’s 63%, according to Bloomberg data.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix now account for more than half of the KOSPI’s weighting amid strong AI-chip demand.
SK Hynix lost 27% across three sessions before later rising by South Korea’s 30% daily trading limit.
Leveraged ETFs tracking both chipmakers amplified market swings, with retail investors holding most of these products.
The volatility contributed to nine Korea Exchange trading halts this year, compared with one during 2024.
Bitcoin opened 2026 near $88,000 and traded around $63,000, leaving the cryptocurrency down roughly 29% this year.
Bitcoin also fell near $57,000 in June, but steadier daily moves kept measured volatility below the KOSPI.
South Korea's stock market suffered one of its sharpest declines in recent months on Monday after the benchmark KOSPI fell more than 8% within the first 20 minutes of trading, triggering a circuit breaker and temporarily halting market activity.