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 highlighted in a recent survey by Nomura and its digital assets arm, Laser Digital. The study, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now hold a positive view of crypto over the next year, up from 25% in 2024, while negative sentiment has decreased. This shift in perception suggests that the asset class is maturing. 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 investment in crypto plan to do so within the next three years, with most expecting to allocate between 2% and 5% of their portfolio. The gradual adoption of crypto by institutions is being supported by a changing regulatory landscape. In Japan, policymakers have been refining crypto frameworks over the past year, including discussions on classification, taxation, and investor protection. Globally, the introduction of clearer rules in major markets, alongside the approval and expansion of crypto investment products such as ETFs and tokenized assets, has reduced some of the uncertainty that previously deterred institutions. 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. This reflects a growing demand for yield-generating strategies and more sophisticated portfolio construction. Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases such as treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities. However, barriers to adoption remain, including concerns around volatility, counterparty risk, and the lack of established valuation frameworks. Regulatory uncertainty, although improving, has not been fully eliminated. Nevertheless, the survey indicates a shift in the conversation, with institutions increasingly focused on how to invest in crypto rather than whether to do so, suggesting that digital assets are moving closer to becoming a standard component of institutional portfolios.