These are the three exchanges Brian recommends for copy trading and futures. All accept international users; BTCC is the only one that accepts US residents.
| Exchange | Get started |
|---|---|
| 1 BTCC | Go to BTCC → |
| 2 Bitunix | Go to Bitunix → |
| 3 MEXC | Go to MEXC → |
Affiliate disclosure: Links above are affiliate links. Brian may earn a commission if you sign up — at no extra cost to you.
Asia-Pacific Crypto Adoption at a Glance
Asia-Pacific's 69% YoY growth rate makes it by far the fastest-growing crypto region in the world. This growth is not driven by a single country but by a wave of grassroots retail adoption across six or more major markets simultaneously. India leads with the most impressive trajectory — $338B received with 99% YoY growth, ranking #1 across every sub-index in the Chainalysis 2025 report. India's crypto user base is predominantly young (66% of major exchange users under 35) and female crypto users in India grew 300% between 2020 and 2021.
South Korea is a unique case globally — while it ranks only #15 in the Chainalysis adoption index, it generates a staggering ~30% of global trading volume from just 13M+ active traders. Upbit alone controls 78% of the domestic market. The real-name verification system enforced since 2018 means all Korean exchange accounts are linked to bank accounts, making it one of the most structured retail trading markets in the world.
Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia represent the next wave of APAC growth. Vietnam has a strong DeFi and play-to-earn gaming culture with 21M+ users and 21.2% ownership. The Philippines — birthplace of Axie Infinity — has 22–23% ownership driven by remittances and mobile-first gaming adoption. Indonesia has 39M crypto owners, making it the third-largest absolute holder country globally.
Key Countries in Asia-Pacific
APAC is the most diverse crypto region in the world — spanning grassroots Indian retail adoption, elite Korean trading culture, gaming-driven Vietnamese DeFi, and regulated Japanese markets.
India — Rank #1 Globally
$338B received · 99% YoY · 97M+ holders (7.1% of 1.4B population). #1 across every Chainalysis sub-index. Young, mobile-first — 66% of major exchange users under 35. Mostly retail and DeFi-driven. BTCC and MEXC both accept Indian users.
Go to BTCC →Vietnam — Rank #4
21M+ users · 21.2% ownership. Top-5 on both absolute and per-capita adjusted indexes. Strong DeFi and play-to-earn gaming culture. VNDC Wallet has 11M+ installs. 79.3% internet penetration. MEXC and Bitunix both serve Vietnamese users.
Go to MEXC →South Korea — Rank #15
$1T+ trading volume · 13M+ active traders · 13.6% ownership. Generates ~30% of global trading volume. Upbit dominates 78% of the domestic market. Real-name verification via 22 partner banks. Most active trading market per capita globally.
Go to BTCC →Philippines — Rank #9
22–23% ownership · 26M holders. Remittance-driven adoption in a mobile-first economy. Birthplace of Axie Infinity and the play-to-earn model that went global. MEXC and Bitunix both serve Filipino users. Strong youth crypto adoption.
Go to MEXC →Japan — Rank #17
6.3M holders · 5.0% ownership. One of the world's most regulated crypto markets — Bitcoin was legalized as payment in 2017. All exchanges must be FSA-registered. BTCC explicitly lists Japan. Japanese traders value trust and regulation, which BTCC's 14-year track record delivers.
Go to BTCC →Indonesia — Rank #7
39M crypto owners · 3rd largest by total holders globally. Fast-growing market (+58% YoY). Young population (260M+ total) with rapidly expanding mobile internet. BTCC and MEXC both list Indonesia. Bappebti regulates crypto as a commodity.
Go to BTCC →Which Exchanges Work in Asia-Pacific?
Exchange availability varies across APAC's diverse markets. Here's the breakdown for key countries.
| Country | BTCC | Bitunix | MEXC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | All three available. #1 global adoption market. |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | MEXC and Bitunix explicitly list Vietnam. |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | BTCC and MEXC list S. Korea. Real-name verification required locally. |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | MEXC explicitly lists Philippines. |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | BTCC explicitly lists Japan. FSA regulated market. |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | BTCC and MEXC list Indonesia. |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | BTCC explicitly lists Singapore. MAS licensed hub. |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | BTCC and MEXC both list Australia. |
Common Questions About Crypto Trading in Asia-Pacific
What are the best crypto exchanges in India?
For Indian traders, BTCC and MEXC are both available and accept Indian users. BTCC explicitly lists India as a supported country and offers copy trading and futures. MEXC also serves Indian users with 4,200+ tradeable coins. Bitunix is also available. India ranked #1 globally in the Chainalysis 2025 Adoption Index with $338B in received value and 97M+ holders — the largest absolute holder count in the world by far.
Is crypto trading legal in South Korea?
Yes, crypto trading is legal in South Korea and is regulated under a strict real-name verification system. All exchange users must verify identity via one of 22 partner banks, and unverified accounts cannot withdraw to Korean bank accounts. Upbit dominates 78% of the domestic market with 13M+ active traders. South Korea generates approximately 30% of global trading volume, making it by far the most active trading market per capita in the world.
Which exchanges work in Vietnam?
MEXC explicitly lists Vietnam as a supported country, and Bitunix also serves Vietnamese users. BTCC is also available. Vietnam ranked #4 globally in the Chainalysis 2025 index with 21M+ users and 21.2% ownership rate. The Vietnamese crypto market is driven by gaming and DeFi culture, with VNDC Wallet having 11M+ installs. Vietnam has strong play-to-earn gaming adoption that has made it a consistent top-5 global crypto market for several years.
Can I trade crypto with leverage in the Philippines?
Yes, Filipino traders can access leverage trading through MEXC, Bitunix, and BTCC, all of which serve the Philippines. The Philippines has 22–23% crypto ownership (26M holders) and is strongly remittance-driven. It is also the birthplace of Axie Infinity, the play-to-earn game that introduced millions of Filipinos to crypto. Mobile-first adoption is dominant in the Philippines, and all three recommended exchanges have mobile-friendly platforms.
What crypto exchanges are available in Japan?
BTCC explicitly lists Japan as a supported country for international users. Japan is one of the most regulated crypto markets globally — Bitcoin was legalized as payment in 2017, and all domestic exchanges must be FSA (Financial Services Agency) registered. Japan has 6.3M holders (5.0% ownership) and Chainalysis ranks it #17 globally. Japanese traders typically prioritize regulated and trustworthy platforms, which makes BTCC's 14-year track record since 2011 a strong fit for the Japanese market.
Explore Other Regions
Each regional guide includes local exchange availability, Chainalysis adoption data, and Brian's top platform picks.
Latin America
$900B volume · +63% YoY · Currency instability drives adoption
View LatAm Guide →