Upbit has launched trading for the stablecoin USD1 in KRW, BTC, and USDT markets, offering broader access to this U.S. dollar-pegged digital asset.
Key Takeaways:
- USD1 can now be traded on Upbit against KRW, BTC, and USDT, effective today, September 1, 2025.
- USD1 is redeemable 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, fully collateralized by U.S. Treasuries, cash equivalents, and short-term bonds, custodied by BitGo.
- USD1 trades ~$0.9996 (−0.45% intraday) while BTC trades ~$109,507 (+0.60%).
Earlier today, Semptember 1, 2025, Upbit, South Korea’s premiere crypto exchange, has officially listed USD1, a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by World Liberty Financial, across three major trading pairs including KRW, BTC, and USDT. The exchange confirmed the launch time around 16:00 KST (7:00AM UTC), positioning USD1 alongside leading digital assets for traders in Korea. This milestone was officially announced earlier today in an X (formerly Twitter) post of UpBit Korea, noting the supported markets and its trading opening time, 16:00 KST, which was done a few hours ago.
USD1 is backed by “short-term U.S. government bonds, U.S. dollar deposits and other cash equivalents,” and can be redeemed at par with the U.S. dollar, according to a report from MK News. Custody is handled by BitGo, underscoring the stablecoin’s institutional-grade framework.
Stablecoin Peg Holds as Market Reacts
As of writing in 8:30AM UTC, World Liberty Financial (USD1) trades at approximately $0.9996, reflecting a mild decline of 0.45% over the past 24 hours. Bitcoin (BTC), on the other hand, is priced near $109,507 after falling to $107,300 area earlier today, marking an approximately 0.6% gain in the day.
Photo: World Liberty Financial (USD1) daily chart and current price, according to CoinMarketCap.
These relatively minor price shifts suggest that the USD1 listing is not driving immediate market volatility, but the move could significantly improve liquidity and ease of conversion for traders. For Korean investors in particular, pairing USD1 directly with KRW, BTC, and USDT offers greater flexibility for hedging and repositioning within their crypto portfolio.
Analysts Highlight Institutional Backing
Despite Upbit has not released a detailed statement on the listing, industry watchers highlight that USD1’s credibility comes from its transparent collateralization and trusted custody provider. By integrating it into pairs of KRW, BTC, and USDT, Upbit is positioning itself as part of the global exchanges that are increasingly providing secure, regulated stablecoins.
Analysts argue that this step strengthens confidence among retail traders and institutional investors alike, placing USD1 in competition with established names such as USDT and USDC.
Part of a Global Stablecoin Expansion
USD1’s introduction on Upbit being a part of a broader strategy of global expansion is being exhibited as it fits into a larger trend of global exchanges embracing it, with listings in places like Singapore, Dubai, and Switzerland, often following regulatory clarity.
What’s Next
The addition of USD1 across KRW, BTC, and USDT pairs on Upbit marks a significant development for traders in South Korea, offering them with a stable transparent bridge between fiat and digital assets. With robust backing and institutional-grade custody, USD1 appears well-positioned to compete with established stablecoins in terms of reliability and accessibility. The coming months will reveal whether user adoption and liquidity growth can propel USD1 into a more dominant role in South Korea’s crypto investment landscape.
Summary
Upbit listed USD1 stablecoin on Sept 1, 2025 across KRW, BTC, and USDT pairs, providing Korean traders a secure fiat-to-crypto bridge. Backed 1:1 by Treasuries, deposits, and equivalents with BitGo custody, USD1 traded ~$0.9996 at launch.
BTC steadied ~$109,507 (+0.6%), showing stability. The listing boosts liquidity and hedging flexibility in Korea, setting USD1 to compete with USDT/USDC if adoption grows.
