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

A new study by Nomura and its crypto subsidiary Laser Digital indicates a growing acceptance of digital assets among institutional investors, 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 participants now have a positive outlook on crypto for the next year, up from 25% in 2024, while negative sentiment has decreased, signaling a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures. A key finding is that 65% of respondents view crypto as a vital tool for diversifying their portfolios, with 79% of those considering investment planning to do so within the next three years. Most expect to allocate between 2% and 5% of their portfolios to crypto, indicating that institutions are still in the early stages of adoption. This shift is supported by a changing regulatory landscape, with Japan refining its crypto frameworks and global markets introducing clearer rules and new investment products such as ETFs and tokenized assets. 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 popularity, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases such as treasury management and cross-border payments. However, concerns around volatility, counterparty risk, and valuation frameworks continue to hinder adoption. Despite these challenges, the survey suggests that the conversation around crypto is shifting from whether to invest to how to invest, indicating that digital assets are becoming a more standard component of institutional portfolios.