Survey Reveals 65% of Institutional Investors View Crypto as Crucial for Portfolio Diversification

According to a new survey conducted by Nomura and its digital asset division, Laser Digital, institutional investors are increasingly embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and expanding use cases. 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 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 introduction of new crypto investment products. As a result, interest is moving 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 such as treasury management and cross-border payments. While barriers like volatility and regulatory uncertainty remain, the survey suggests that institutions are now focused on how to invest in crypto, indicating that digital assets are becoming a standard component of institutional portfolios.