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

A new survey by Nomura and its crypto 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 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, suggesting 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 three years, typically allocating between 2% and 5% of their portfolio. This shift is supported by a changing regulatory landscape, with clearer rules in major markets and the expansion of crypto investment products reducing 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 and more sophisticated portfolio construction. Stablecoins are also gaining popularity, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases such as treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities. However, concerns around volatility, counterparty risk, and valuation frameworks continue to hinder adoption, despite improving regulatory clarity. The survey suggests that the conversation among institutions is shifting from whether to invest in crypto to how to do so, indicating that digital assets are becoming a more standard component of institutional portfolios.