Majority of Japanese Institutional Investors to Invest in Crypto by 2029

A recent survey conducted by Nomura and its digital asset subsidiary, Laser Digital, indicates a significant shift in attitudes towards crypto investment in Japan, with nearly 80% of institutional investors planning to add crypto to their portfolios over the next three years. This change in perspective reflects a growing perception of crypto as a tool for diversification, with many respondents citing its low correlation with traditional asset classes as a key factor. While allocations are expected to remain relatively conservative, with over half of respondents targeting allocations between 2% and 5% of their portfolios, the overall sentiment towards crypto is improving. The survey found that 31% of respondents had a positive outlook on crypto, up from 25% in 2024, while negative sentiment declined to 18%. These findings come as Japan continues to refine its regulatory framework for digital assets, providing clarity that has helped foster a domestic crypto ecosystem. Major companies such as SBI Holdings and bitFlyer are already active in the industry, and traditional financial institutions are also entering the market. The survey suggests that interest in crypto is expanding beyond simple price exposure, with over 60% of respondents expressing interest in income-generating strategies and tokenized assets. Stablecoins are also a key area of focus, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases. While challenges such as regulatory uncertainty and volatility remain, the survey indicates that institutional investors are now focused on how to invest in crypto, rather than whether to do so.