As the crypto market continues to mature at a rapid rate, news recently broke that $METIS — the native digital asset of the Metis ecosystem — had been successfully listed on Bithumb, South Korea’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by total volume.
$METIS plays a crucial role in the Metis ecosystem’s functionality, being used for transaction fees, staking to secure the network, and governance.
The move was widely well-received, emerging as an important milestone for the layer-2 (L2) solution, especially since Metis addresses several critical challenges pervading Ethereum’s existing infrastructure. It does so by providing the latter with a more efficient and cost-effective platform for its various decentralized applications (dApps).
A Closer Look at the Matter
Following the listing, $METIS immediately became tradable across the Korean Won market. The development was particularly noteworthy because Korean investors are known for their keen interest in cutting-edge blockchain projects.
In this regard, the listing — which went live on November 21 — offers a direct gateway for investors to explore and invest in an innovative Ethereum scaling solution that has already accrued a total value locked (TVL) of over $340 million while being on a path of steady growth (over the past year).
Moreover, it bears mentioning that the listing came with certain notable trading specifications. For starters, $METIS was introduced to the Korean Won market with an initial base price of 59,050 won, supported exclusively on the Ethereum network.
Furthermore, Bithumb implemented a comprehensive support strategy to support the listing. This included a deposit and withdrawal window within three hours of the notice and a carefully planned trading start time.
Lastly, the exchange complemented the listing with an engaging two-day trading event, offering users incentives in the form of METIS airdrops, which were hosted to drive initial interest and market engagement for the new trading pair.
Bithumb’s Importance Within the Broader Crypto Landscape
Ever since its inception in 2014, Bithumb has stood as a titan in the South Korean cryptocurrency market, growing to become the second-largest spot crypto trading platform in South Korea — boasting an impressive 8 million registered users, a cumulative transaction volume exceeding $1 trillion and over a million mobile app users.
Its strategic positioning in the market has been further underscored by its aggressive expansion plans, including a potential initial public offering (IPO) on the Kosdaq or Kospi in the second half of 2025.
Moreover, the exchange has played an active role in narrowing the market share gap with Upbit — another leading Korean exchange — through innovative strategies like zero-fee policies and extensive partnerships, such as with Metis.
To this point, the exchange has forged agreements and integrations with major financial institutions like Samsung Securities, NH Nonghyup, and KB Kookmin Bank, transforming it into a critical bridge connecting the traditional finance (trad-fi) market with the digital asset industry.
Looking Ahead
The broader implications of the listing extend far beyond a simple market entry. By providing platforms like Metis with increased visibility and accessibility, Bithumb is continuing to play a pivotal role in democratizing blockchain tech and driving innovation in today’s rapidly evolving digital finance landscape.
In the near term, it is possible that the listing could trigger increased market liquidity, foster broader community engagement, and potentially drive further development and adoption for the Metis ecosystem.
