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

A new survey by Nomura and its digital asset arm, Laser Digital, indicates a growing acceptance of digital assets among institutional investors, driven by improving sentiment and the emergence of new use cases. The survey, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found a 6% increase in positive sentiment towards crypto over the next year, with 31% now holding a favorable outlook, up from 25% in 2024. Meanwhile, negative sentiment has decreased, reflecting a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures. A key finding is that 65% of respondents view crypto as a vital portfolio diversifier, with 79% of those considering investment planning to do so within the next three years. Most expect to allocate between 2% and 5% of their portfolio to crypto, indicating that institutions 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. Globally, clearer regulations and the expansion of crypto investment products have reduced uncertainty, prompting institutions to explore beyond simple price exposure. Over 60% of respondents expressed interest in more sophisticated strategies such as staking, lending, derivatives, and tokenized assets, reflecting a growing demand for yield-generating investments. Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases in treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities. Despite remaining barriers such as volatility and regulatory uncertainty, the survey suggests a shift in the conversation among institutions, from whether to invest in crypto to how to do so, indicating that digital assets are becoming increasingly integral to institutional portfolios.