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

According to a new survey conducted by Nomura and its digital asset arm, Laser Digital, institutional investors are increasingly embracing digital assets, with improving sentiment and expanding use cases driving adoption. 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 major 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 portfolio to crypto, suggesting they are still in the early stages of adoption. This shift is supported by a changing regulatory landscape, with policymakers in Japan refining crypto frameworks over the past year, and clearer rules in major global markets, alongside the approval of crypto investment products, reducing uncertainty and encouraging institutional participation. 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, derivatives, and tokenized assets. Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases, including treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities. While challenges such as volatility, counterparty risk, and valuation frameworks remain, the survey suggests the conversation among institutions is shifting from whether to invest in crypto to how to do so, indicating that digital assets are moving closer to becoming a standard component of institutional portfolios.