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

A new survey conducted by Nomura and its digital assets 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 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 yield-generating strategies such as staking, lending, and tokenized assets. 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 increasingly focused on how to invest in crypto, rather than whether to do so, indicating that digital assets are moving closer to becoming a standard component of institutional portfolios.