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

A new study by Nomura and its crypto 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 survey, 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, signifying a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures. A key finding is that 65% of respondents consider crypto a vital portfolio diversifier, with 79% of those considering investment planning to do so within 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. Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases. However, concerns around volatility, counterparty risk, and valuation frameworks remain, and regulatory uncertainty, although improving, still exists. Nevertheless, the survey suggests that institutions are now focused on how to invest in crypto, rather than whether to do so, indicating that digital assets are becoming a more standard component of institutional portfolios.