Tether Gold (XAUT) Surges Over 20% on Major South Korean Exchanges
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 12 2026- Price Surge: On March 21, 2025, Tether Gold (XAUT) experienced a dramatic price increase of approximately 25% within 30 minutes on major South Korean exchanges, highlighting intense regional demand for asset-backed digital tokens, which may attract more investor interest.
- Trading Volume Spike: On Upbit, XAUT reached a price of 6,742,000 KRW, reflecting a stabilized gain of 0.96% after initial volatility, indicating a growing interest in gold-backed digital assets among investors.
- Market Mechanics Analysis: The high retail participation and capital controls in South Korea's market limited liquidity for the XAUT/KRW trading pair, amplifying buy orders and causing sharp price increases, which reflects both market fragility and opportunities.
- Kimchi Premium Phenomenon: The over 20% surge in XAUT underscores the 'Kimchi Premium' phenomenon in the South Korean market, indicating stronger local demand for specific assets, potentially attracting institutional investors and driving market dynamics.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
