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

Institutional investors are increasingly embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and the emergence of new use cases, according to a recent survey by Nomura, a Tokyo-based bank, and its crypto arm, Laser Digital. The study, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now have a positive outlook on crypto for the next year, up from 25% in 2024, while negative sentiment has decreased, indicating a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures. A key theme emerging from the study is the role of crypto in portfolio diversification, with 65% of respondents viewing it as a vital component, and 79% of those considering investment planning to do so within the next three years. Most institutions anticipate allocating between 2% and 5% of their portfolios to crypto, suggesting they are still in the early stages of adoption. This shift is supported by evolving regulatory and policy frameworks, both in Japan and globally, where clearer rules and the expansion of crypto investment products have reduced uncertainty. 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. Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases such as treasury management and cross-border payments. Despite remaining barriers like volatility and regulatory uncertainty, the survey indicates a shift in the conversation among institutions, from whether to invest in crypto to how to do so, suggesting digital assets are moving closer to becoming a standard part of institutional portfolios.