Bitcoin Regains Ground Amidst Middle East Tensions; Paycoin Rebounds in Domestic Market

Bitcoin rebounded after news that the Middle East crisis was slightly easing, but remains volatile to any news from the region. Meanwhile, the domestic market saw the return of "Paycoin," a Korean coin delisted last year due to regulatory issues. Kovit, a domestic exchange, relisted Paycoin after the coin changed its business plan and halted domestic operations.

Bitcoin Rebounds amidst Middle East Tensions, Paycoin Returns to Domestic Market

Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, experienced a brief decline following Iran's airstrike on Israel, but has since rebounded on news that the likelihood of further escalation has diminished. As the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, analysts anticipate that Bitcoin will continue to be influenced by related news developments.

In the domestic market, the kimchi coin Paycoin, which was delisted last year, has made a comeback after being re-listed by Kovit, a South Korean cryptocurrency exchange.

Bitcoin's Fluctuations in the Wake of Middle East Crisis

On January 14th, Bitcoin's value dropped by over 1% after news emerged that Israel planned to continue retaliatory strikes against Iran. However, at around 7 a.m. Korean time, Bitcoin jumped by 3% following reports that Israel had shelved its plans for further attacks after a call with U.S. President Biden.

Altcoins, which are alternative cryptocurrencies, also responded positively to Bitcoin's rebound. Ethereum closed up by 4.93%, Solana rose by 9.23%, and Ripple increased by 5.12%.

Global Financial Markets Focus on Middle East

The global financial market, including the virtual asset market, is paying close attention to the developments in the Middle East. Experts predict that the stock market could experience further declines as oil prices surpass $100 per barrel due to Iran's attack on Israel. Investors are transitioning to safe assets such as government bonds, gold, and the U.S. dollar.

Patrick Armstrong, chief investment officer at Flourmy Wells, emphasizes that investors are seeking safe havens during this period. However, he notes that future market reactions will depend on Israel's response. If Israel refrains from escalating the situation, it could create an opportunity for risky assets to become more affordable.

Paycoin's Re-emergence in Domestic Market

In the domestic virtual asset market, Paycoin, a South Korean cryptocurrency developed by Danal, has made a return. It has been a year since Paycoin was delisted from Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone, the three major domestic exchanges.

On January 14th, Kovit listed Paycoin, becoming the first exchange to do so since its delisting. Paycoin was removed from the domestic market in April 2022 due to its failure to comply with regulations set by the Digital Asset Joint Council (DAXA).

Specifically, Paycoin failed to report a change in its virtual asset operator (VASP) to a "trader." The Financial Services Commission's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) did not accept PayCoin's management company's report, and PayProtocol encountered difficulties securing a real-name deposit/withdrawal account.

However, Kovit's listing of Paycoin is not affected by these past issues, as Paycoin has since changed its business plan to discontinue its domestic business operations. Therefore, there are no existing concerns regarding virtual asset operators.

Kovit has recently been actively listing Korean coins that were delisted by DAXA for similar reasons. This strategy has raised questions about DAXA's influence in the domestic market, which has been under scrutiny in recent years.

In conclusion, Bitcoin's rebound amidst ongoing Middle East tensions highlights the cryptocurrency's sensitivity to geopolitical events. The global financial market remains focused on the region, and analysts anticipate further fluctuations in Bitcoin's value based on the evolving situation. Paycoin's re-listing on Kovit marks a notable development in the domestic virtual asset market, raising questions about the role of DAXA in regulating the industry.