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 revealed 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 have a positive outlook on crypto for the next year, up from 25% in 2024. Meanwhile, the percentage of respondents with negative sentiment has decreased, indicating a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures. A key theme emerging from the survey is the role of crypto in portfolio diversification, with 65% of respondents viewing it as a vital component. 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. The shift towards crypto adoption is being supported by a more favorable regulatory environment, with policymakers in Japan refining crypto frameworks over the past year. Globally, clearer regulations and the approval of crypto investment products such as ETFs and tokenized assets have reduced uncertainty and encouraged institutions to invest. 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. Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases such as treasury management and cross-border payments. However, barriers to adoption still exist, including concerns around volatility, counterparty risk, and the lack of established valuation frameworks. Despite these challenges, the survey suggests that institutions are increasingly focused on how to invest in crypto, rather than whether to do so, indicating that digital assets are becoming a more mainstream component of institutional portfolios.