Bitcoin News Today: Bithumb Lists LISTA and MERL, Tokens Jump 33.97% 20.53% to Six-Month Highs on KRW Listing

Generated by AI AgentCoin World
Thursday, Jul 24, 2025 1:37 am ET1min read
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Aime RobotAime Summary

- Bithumb listed LISTA and MERL as KRW pairs on July 24, 2025, sparking 33.97% and 20.53% price surges to six-month highs.

- The exchange’s trading volume surged 256.2% monthly, reflecting South Korea’s $73B crypto market leadership and growing altcoin demand.

- Bithumb emphasized Travel Rule compliance and strategic altcoin diversification to support LSDfi and Bitcoin layer-2 innovations while mitigating regulatory risks.

- Listings align with broader trends in blockchain scalability adoption, though analysts caution traders about short-term volatility amid market fluctuations.

Bithumb, South Korea’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced the listing of Lista DAO (LISTA) and Merlin Chain (MERL) as new trading pairs against the Korean Won (KRW) on July 24, 2025. The move triggered immediate price surges: LISTA rose 33.97% to $0.36, while MERL climbed 20.53% to $0.168, both reaching six-month highs. The exchange’s trading volume had already surged 256.2% in the preceding month, reflecting growing regional demand for digital assets [1].

The listing of LISTA, a decentralized liquidity protocol focused on Liquid Staking Derivatives (LSDfi), and MERL, the token for Merlin Chain’s

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layer-2 network, underscores Bithumb’s strategy to diversify its altcoin offerings. The exchange emphasized compliance with the Travel Rule, allowing deposits and withdrawals only through approved virtual asset service providers, to ensure regulatory adherence and investor security. Trading for LISTA began at 4:00 PM KST, followed by MERL at 6:00 PM KST, with both tokens trading against KRW [1].

South Korea’s crypto market remains a global leader, with Ledger reporting that 27% of individuals aged 20 to 50 hold digital assets, and 70% plan to expand their portfolios this year. The top five exchanges—Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and GOPAX—hold over 100 trillion Won (~$73 billion) in assets, reinforcing the region’s liquidity. Bithumb’s recent volume growth, rising from $758 million to $2.7 billion in a month, highlights its expanding influence alongside Upbit, which saw a 388.24% volume increase to $8.3 billion [1].

The price rally reflects the significance of South Korean exchanges in driving altcoin valuations. Both LISTA and MERL benefited from Bithumb’s track record of boosting projects like Hyperlane (HYPER) and Babylon (BABY). Analysts note that listings on major exchanges often catalyze short-term demand, though traders are cautioned about initial volatility. The surge in trading activity also aligns with broader trends in LSDfi and Bitcoin layer-2 adoption, sectors poised for growth in 2025 [1].

Bithumb’s strategic additions aim to enhance market access for regional investors while supporting projects addressing blockchain scalability and interoperability. For LISTA, the KRW pairing reduces entry barriers, while MERL’s inclusion provides exposure to Bitcoin layer-2 innovations. The exchange’s regulatory compliance framework further bolsters market confidence, mitigating risks of illicit activities and aligning with global standards.

As South Korea continues to shape crypto market dynamics, Bithumb’s role in facilitating liquidity and adoption is critical. The July 24 listings highlight how strategic partnerships between exchanges and emerging protocols can drive innovation, though investors are advised to conduct thorough due diligence amid market fluctuations.

Source: [1] [Bithumb Unveils Exciting New Listings: LISTA and MERL Spot Pairs Arrive July 24] [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6881a8b267762e3f8279231c/].