A growing number of institutional investors are embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and the emergence of new use cases, as revealed in a recent survey conducted by Nomura and its crypto subsidiary, Laser Digital. The survey, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now hold 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 continues to mature. 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 the next three years, typically allocating between 2% and 5% of their portfolio. This shift is supported by evolving regulatory and policy frameworks, both in Japan and globally, which have reduced uncertainty and encouraged institutions to explore crypto investment products such as ETFs and tokenized assets.
As a result, interest in crypto is expanding beyond mere price exposure, with over 60% of respondents expressing interest in yield-generating strategies like staking, lending, derivatives, and tokenized assets. Stablecoins are also gaining popularity, with 63% identifying potential use cases in treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities.
However, challenges persist, including concerns over volatility, counterparty risk, and the lack of established valuation frameworks. Despite these challenges, the survey indicates a shift in the conversation from whether to invest in crypto to how to invest, signaling that digital assets are moving closer to becoming a standard component of institutional investment portfolios.