Institutional Investors Increasingly View Crypto as a Key Portfolio Diversification Tool, Nomura Study Finds

A growing number of institutional investors are embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and the emergence of new use cases, according to a recent study by Nomura and its digital assets arm, Laser Digital. The survey, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now hold a positive view of crypto for the upcoming year, up from 25% in 2024, while negative sentiment has decreased, indicating a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures. A key 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 modest allocations, typically between 2% and 5%, 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, including discussions on classification, taxation, and investor protection. Globally, clearer regulations in major markets, alongside the approval and expansion of crypto investment products such as ETFs and tokenized assets, have reduced uncertainty, encouraging institutions to engage more deeply with digital assets. As a result, interest is expanding beyond simple price exposure, with over 60% of respondents expressing interest in staking, lending, derivatives, and tokenized assets, reflecting 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, including treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities. Despite remaining barriers, such as concerns over volatility, counterparty risk, and the lack of established valuation frameworks, the survey suggests that 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.