South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Upbit has announced the listing of Ether.fi's native token, ETHFI, for Korean Won (KRW) trading. Trading commenced on March 19, 2026, at 12:30 PM KST (3:30 AM UTC) with an exclusive ETHFI/KRW trading pair. The exchange has implemented its standard new-listing protocols, including a 5-minute period where buy orders are limited and sell orders below 10% of the previous day's closing price are restricted, followed by a two-hour period accepting only limit orders.
The listing represents a strategic expansion for Upbit and provides South Korean investors with regulated, domestic access to Ethereum's liquid staking infrastructure. Upbit's listing committee conducted thorough due diligence, evaluating technological innovation, team credentials, regulatory compliance, security audits, and market demand before approving the asset. The exchange confirmed that deposits and withdrawals for ETHFI are supported exclusively via the Ethereum network.
Ether.fi is a non-custodial, decentralized liquid staking protocol built on Ethereum. It allows users to stake ETH while maintaining liquidity through derivative tokens like eETH. The ETHFI token serves governance functions within its ecosystem and supports the protocol's integration with EigenLayer for native restaking capabilities. The protocol has attracted significant total value locked (TVL), positioning it among leading providers in the competitive liquid staking sector.
This move is significant for the South Korean market, one of Asia's most active crypto markets, where retail investors have shown strong interest in Ethereum ecosystem projects. Analysts note the listing could boost ETHFI's global trading volume and liquidity, potentially influencing other Korean exchanges to evaluate similar assets. It also underscores continued institutional interest in Ethereum's proof-of-stake infrastructure.
