BIO Protocol (BIO) became the main surprise of the trading day in South Korea. After the announcement of its listing on the country’s largest exchange, Upbit, the token rose by 58%, and trading volume increased more than fivefold. At the same time, interest in the DeSci (Decentralized Science) sector also grew — its total capitalization added about 11% in a day.
Listing on Upbit became a growth catalyst
Upbit announced that BIO trading would begin at 18:00 local time. The asset is available in pairs with the Korean won (KRW), Bitcoin (BTC), and Tether (USDT). The exchange emphasized that it supports only the BIO-Ethereum network and reminded users to check the contract address before making a deposit.
To prevent volatility spikes, the platform temporarily restricted trading activity:
- in the first five minutes after opening, buy orders cannot be placed
- sell orders more than 10% below the previous price are blocked
- only limit orders are allowed during the first two hours
According to Upbit representatives, these measures are needed for a ‘calm start of trading and liquidity alignment’ in the first hours.
BIO pulls the entire DeSci sector up
After the announcement, the price of BIO rose from $0.08 to $0.13, then stabilized around $0.111 — about 30% above pre-announcement levels. Daily trading volume exceeded $130 million, equivalent to a 500% increase and the best figure in recent months.
According to CoinGecko, the total capitalization of DeSci projects reached $820 million. Following BIO, VitaDAO (VITA), Curetopia (CURES), and Pinealon (PNL) also rose — each token added double-digit percentages.
DeSci comes out of the shadows
The decentralized science sphere has long remained on the market’s periphery. However, the BIO listing became a turning point when interest in DeSci returned. Blockfyre co-founder Simon Dedic noted:
‘Upbit has influenced the dynamics of individual tokens more than once. But for a single listing to revive an entire category — this is the first time. BIO literally breathed life into DeSci.’
Experts link the growing interest to the technological potential and the idea of tokenizing scientific research. These projects create tools for transparent grant distribution, open funding, and decentralized laboratories.
South Korea strengthens its influence on the crypto market
Upbit, with a daily turnover of over $3 billion, remains the main trading hub in the region. Listings on it traditionally provoke a strong reaction from retail investors and can influence prices on a global scale.
BIO already experienced rapid growth in August, but the current surge looks more sustainable. Investors see it not as a speculative pump, but as a sign of revival in the decentralized technology sector.
What’s next?
If interest in BIO persists, the token could become one of the largest DeSci projects by volume and liquidity. However, according to analysts, the sector’s sustainability will depend on the development of DAOs, research funds, and the integration of real scientific initiatives.
The revival of DeSci signals a shift in market focus: after a wave of memecoins and DeFi speculation, investors are once again seeking assets with practical value and long-term meaning.
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