South Korea Opens Door for ZKP-Driven Crypto Innovation with LA Listing

The Lagrange (LA) token will be listed on Upbit for trading in the KRW market, with the exchange announcing that trading will begin on September 18, 2025, at 19:30 local time. The LA token is built on the Ethereum network, and Upbit has emphasized the importance of using the correct network for deposits and withdrawals to avoid delays in processing. The exchange has also outlined temporary trading restrictions for the initial phase of the listing, including a five-minute buy order freeze and the rejection of sell orders 10 percent below the previous day’s closing price. The LA token’s previous closing price on the Upbit BTC market was recorded at 0.00000327 BTC (528 KRW).

The Lagrange network is a next-generation blockchain project based on Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology, designed to offer scalable infrastructure through a specialized "Prover Network." The LA token is integral to the ecosystem, serving functions such as staking, governance participation, and payment for network fees. With this listing, Upbit aims to provide its users in the Korean market with an opportunity to invest in a project that aligns with the growing trend of ZKP-based solutions in the blockchain industry. This move underscores the exchange’s commitment to expanding the range of digital assets available to Korean investors.

South Korea’s cryptocurrency market has long been recognized for its high trading volume and liquidity, often referred to as the “Kimchi Premium,” where asset prices on Korean exchanges exceed global averages. Bithumb, another major South Korean exchange, also announced a similar listing of the LA/KRW trading pair in June 2024, indicating the token’s growing appeal in the region. The significance of the KRW trading pair lies in its direct accessibility for local investors, enabling them to trade without first converting their local currency into stablecoins or major cryptocurrencies. This can lead to increased trading activity and potentially greater price volatility, especially in the early days of a listing.

Despite regulatory challenges and the lack of institutional participation in the Korean market, the country has maintained a strong retail-driven crypto ecosystem. As of 2023, the number of virtual asset traders in South Korea had reached 6.45 million, representing 12.5 percent of the population. The widespread adoption of internet and technology in the country has contributed to a culture of active crypto engagement, making it an attractive market for emerging projects like Lagrange. The presence of high-profile events like Korea Blockchain Week further highlights the country’s growing influence in the global Web 3.0 space.

The listing of LA on major exchanges such as Upbit and Bithumb signals a broader trend of increased accessibility for next-generation blockchain tokens in the Korean market. While the market is not without its challenges—such as regulatory uncertainty and occasional volatility—these developments reflect the ongoing integration of cryptocurrencies into the country’s financial infrastructure. As Korean exchanges continue to attract both domestic and international attention, the potential for LA to gain traction in the region could lead to increased adoption and further innovation in the blockchain space.