Survey Reveals 65% of Institutional Investors Consider Crypto a Crucial Portfolio Diversification Tool

A new study by Nomura and its crypto subsidiary, Laser Digital, indicates that institutional investors are increasingly embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and the emergence of new use cases. The survey, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now hold a positive view of 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 the next 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 growing demand for yield-generating strategies. Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases. While concerns around volatility and regulatory uncertainty remain, the survey suggests that institutions are shifting their focus from whether to invest in crypto to how to do so, indicating that digital assets are becoming a more standard component of institutional portfolios.