65% of Institutional Investors Consider Crypto a Crucial Portfolio Diversification Tool, According to Nomura Study

A growing number of institutional investors are embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and the emergence of new use cases, as highlighted in a recent survey by Nomura and its crypto subsidiary, Laser Digital. The study, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now hold a positive outlook on crypto for the upcoming year, up from 25% in 2024. Meanwhile, negative sentiment has decreased, indicating a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures. Diversification is a key theme, with 65% of respondents viewing crypto as a vital portfolio diversifier, and 79% of those considering investment planning to do so within the next three years. Most institutions expect to allocate between 2% and 5% of their portfolio to crypto, suggesting they are still in the early stages of adoption. This shift is supported by a changing regulatory landscape, with policymakers in Japan refining crypto frameworks over the past year, including discussions on classification, taxation, and investor protection. Globally, clearer regulations and the expansion of crypto investment products have reduced uncertainty, encouraging institutions to explore beyond simple price exposure. Over 60% of respondents expressed interest in staking, lending, derivatives, and tokenized assets, reflecting a growing demand for yield-generating strategies and more sophisticated portfolio construction. Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases such as treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities. However, barriers to adoption remain, including concerns over volatility, counterparty risk, and the lack of established valuation frameworks. Despite these challenges, the survey suggests that the conversation is shifting from whether to invest in crypto to how to do so, indicating that digital assets are becoming increasingly integral to institutional portfolios.