According to a new study by Nomura and its digital asset arm, Laser Digital, institutional investors are increasingly embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and the emergence of new use cases. The survey, which polled 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. A key theme emerging from the study is the role of crypto in portfolio diversification, with 65% of respondents viewing it as a vital tool for this purpose. Furthermore, 79% of those considering investing in crypto plan to do so within the next three years, with most expecting to allocate between 2% and 5% of their portfolio to digital assets.
This shift is supported by a changing regulatory landscape, with clearer rules in major markets and the expansion of crypto investment products contributing to reduced uncertainty. As a result, institutions are exploring more sophisticated investment strategies, including staking, lending, and tokenized assets, with over 60% of respondents expressing interest in these areas. Additionally, stablecoins are gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases such as treasury management and cross-border payments.
While challenges such as volatility and regulatory uncertainty persist, the survey suggests that the conversation around crypto is evolving, with institutions now focusing on how to invest in digital assets rather than whether to do so, indicating that crypto is becoming an increasingly important component of institutional portfolios.