South Korea recorded a 95.7% year-on-year rise in online interest in stocks and cryptocurrencies, ranking first among more than 45 countries in a September 2026 retail investment study.
The analysis by Coin Insider used Google Trends data from 2025 and 2026, comparing searches during a recent 13-week period with the same period a year earlier. Singapore was second with growth of 66%, followed by Spain at about 61%, Argentina at roughly 50% and Bangladesh at 49%.
Search interest in the United States and Canada increased by around 30%.
Researchers also reviewed four-week trends, stock market capitalisation and gross national savings as proportions of GDP. The search figures measure interest rather than completed purchases, account openings or trading volumes, so they do not show that every search resulted in money being invested.
South Korea’s interest nearly doubles
South Korea’s increase remained substantial in the shorter period, with searches 51% higher than a year earlier. Its stock market capitalisation was equivalent to 147.2% of GDP, while gross savings stood at 35.6%.
The country’s active retail market has also exposed investors to risks from rapid price movements. On Sep. 14, crypto.news reported that the Bank of Korea had identified leverage risks after trading in products linked to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix increased.
The central bank’s September monetary policy report said the two chipmakers represented nearly half of the Kospi’s market capitalisation. Hong Kong-listed leveraged products linked to the companies grew more than twentyfold during the first half of 2026.
South Korean authorities had proposed limiting an individual investor’s exposure to leveraged single-stock exchange-traded funds to 20% of investment assets. The proposal followed sharp moves in technology shares and concerns that daily rebalancing by leveraged funds could increase volatility.
Crypto taxation has also become an issue. A group representing South Korean crypto investors requested a two-year delay to the planned taxation of virtual-asset gains. Regulatory and tax issues were not part of Coin Insider’s ranking, which was based on search trends, market size and savings.
Singapore and Spain maintain strong growth
Singapore’s searches rose 66% over 13 weeks and remained 39% higher in the latest four-week period. Gross savings were 40% of GDP, the highest among the leading countries, while stock market capitalisation reached 136% of GDP.
Spain’s 13-week increase was about 61%, with the shorter-term figure almost 60% above the previous year. Its stock market capitalisation was 68% of GDP and gross savings 24%.
Mobile trading platforms have made it easier to research domestic and overseas shares, exchange-traded funds and cryptocurrencies, although access depends on local rules and platform restrictions. Tokenised assets offer another route in some markets, with ownership rights and availability varying by jurisdiction. Kraken recently introduced yield-bearing xStocks vaults for eligible customers holding tokenised versions of SPY, QQQ and Nvidia exposure.
Argentina’s rise was linked by Coin Insider to high inflation and repeated losses in the purchasing power of its currency. Its gross savings were 13% of GDP, the lowest among the five leading countries.
Bangladesh recorded a 49% 13-week increase, while searches jumped 130% in the latest four weeks. Its stock market capitalisation was 6% of GDP and gross savings 35%, with residents potentially researching foreign equities, including Nasdaq-listed companies, and cryptocurrencies.
Access to overseas markets remains subject to financial regulation, capital controls, identity checks, tax rules and platform availability.
US and Canada record 30% rise
Investment searches increased by around 30% in both the United States and Canada. In the US, investors already have access to major exchanges, regulated brokerages and US-listed spot crypto exchange-traded funds. Bitcoin and Ether can be accessed through exchange-traded products without direct ownership, while brokerage apps offer shares, options and funds.
A Coin Insider financial analyst said mobile services had reduced the cost and complexity of entering markets.
“Investing has never been easier than it is today,” the analyst said. “Now, user-friendly mobile apps have completely opened up the markets, allowing anyone to start investing without needing years of experience.”
The analyst said international platforms could connect users in countries such as Bangladesh and Spain with global assets, helping retail investors account for a greater share of stock market activity.
