South Korea’s crypto titans just dropped a bombshell! In a synchronized move shaking the altcoin arena, Upbit and Bithumb are listing new Tokens today: Raydium (RAY), HUMA, and FORT. This triple-thrust launch signals a major play for liquidity and trader attention amid a choppy market. Let’s unpack the drama.
Raydium’s redemption arc
Upbit’s noon KST listing of Raydium (RAY) couldn’t come at a more critical time. As Solana’s flagship decentralized exchange (DEX) and automated market maker (AMM), Raydium has been bleeding value, plummeting 27.3% over 30 days. Its market cap nosedived from $1 billion+ to $500 million, crushed by Solana’s network congestion woes and bearish sentiment. But Upbit’s endorsement is injecting adrenaline: RAY spiked 18% pre-listing as Korean “kimchi premium” speculators piled in.
Bithumb’s double down: HUMA & FORT
Not to be outdone, Bithumb fired back, listing HUMA and FORT in its KRW market. HUMA, an AI-powered lending protocol, stole the spotlight with a 12% pre-listing pump before cooling to $0.037. Traders call it a “textbook buy-the-rumor” play. FORT—a gaming infrastructure token—held steady, avoiding HUMA’s volatility. Both tokens now tap into Bithumb’s $1.2 billion daily volume, a golden ticket for retail exposure.
Why this trio matters
Upbit and Bithumb’s strategy of listing new tokens isn’t random. It’s a calculated bid to dominate Asia’s altcoin flow as U.S. exchanges grapple with regulatory headwinds. For RAY, it’s a shot at revival; for HUMA/FORT, it’s mainstream validation. Market impact? Immediate. SOL rallied 5% on RAY’s news, while Korean exchange tokens (like Bithumb’s BXA) jumped 3%. But risks loom: RAY’s tech must now deliver smoother AMM executions, or the “Upbit bump” could fade fast.
The big picture
Today’s listings spotlight a crypto truth: exchange support trumps bear markets. With Upbit and Bithumb listing new tokens, they’re not just adding assets—they’re anointing contenders. For traders, it’s a high-stakes game. Ride the Korean wave, but watch for pullbacks like HUMA’s. For RAY? This is D-Day. Fail, and Solana’s DeFi cred takes a hit. Win, and the bull run resumes.
