65% of Institutional Investors View Crypto as Crucial for Portfolio Diversification, Finds Nomura Study

A growing number of institutional investors are embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and the emergence of new use cases, according to a recent study by Nomura and its cryptocurrency arm, Laser Digital. The survey, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now have a positive outlook on cryptocurrency for the next year, up from 25% in 2024. Meanwhile, the decline in negative sentiment suggests a gradual shift in perception as the asset class continues to mature. A key finding is the importance of diversification, with 65% of respondents viewing crypto as a vital portfolio diversifier. Furthermore, 79% of those considering investing in crypto plan to do so within the next three years, with most expecting to allocate between 2% and 5% of their portfolio, indicating that institutions are still in the early stages of adoption. This shift is supported by a changing regulatory landscape, with Japan's policymakers refining crypto frameworks over the past year, including discussions on classification, taxation, and investor protection. Globally, clearer regulations in major markets, alongside the approval and expansion of crypto investment products such as ETFs and tokenized assets, have reduced uncertainty and encouraged institutional investment. As a result, interest in crypto is expanding beyond simple price exposure, with over 60% of respondents expressing 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, including 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 around crypto is shifting, with institutions increasingly focused on how to invest in digital assets, rather than whether to do so, indicating that crypto is moving closer to becoming a standard component of institutional portfolios.