There's a phenomenon worth noting: as traditional paths become increasingly crowded, some people are rushing toward the virtual world.

South Korea is currently staging such a scene—young people in their early 20s hold an average of 2.69 billion won in cryptocurrencies, roughly $2 million USD. How crazy do you have to be to do that?

Looking at their reality makes it understandable. The unemployment rate is 6.6%, more than twice the national average. And a Seoul apartment? The median price exceeds 1 billion won, doubling in five years. The housing price-to-income ratio has soared to 15.2. For most people, relying on a fixed salary to buy a house has long become a joke.

Despair can trigger two reactions. Some simply lie flat, becoming the "resting population"—not working, not seeking jobs, not taking exams, not having children. Others, instead, go all-in on high-risk assets, betting on a chance to turn things around. Among Koreans aged 20 to 50, 27% hold crypto assets, averaging 14% of their financial assets.

What's even more interesting is the structural comparison. Among high-net-worth individuals holding cryptocurrencies, the number of young people in their 20s is the smallest, only 137. But when it comes to average holdings? This group actually sits at the top across all age groups. In other words, although fewer young people are entering the market, those who do are the "all-in" hardcore players.

This is actually easy to understand—when the official channels are blocked, people will open up new battlegrounds. For young people, the crypto market is the last ray of hope.