Survey Reveals 65% of Institutional Investors Consider Crypto a Key Portfolio Diversification Tool

A new survey conducted by Nomura, a Tokyo-based bank, and its cryptocurrency arm, Laser Digital, has found that institutional investors are increasingly embracing digital assets. The study, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, reveals that 31% of respondents now have a positive outlook on cryptocurrency for the next year, up from 25% in 2024. Meanwhile, the number of investors with a negative view has decreased, signaling a gradual shift in perception as the asset class continues to mature. A key finding is that 65% of respondents view cryptocurrency as a vital tool for diversifying their portfolios, with 79% of those considering investment planning to do so within the next three years. Most institutions anticipate allocating between 2% and 5% of their portfolio to cryptocurrency, indicating that they are still in the early stages of adoption. This shift is supported by a changing regulatory landscape, with policymakers in Japan refining cryptocurrency frameworks over the past year. Globally, clearer regulations and the approval of cryptocurrency investment products, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and tokenized assets, have reduced uncertainty and encouraged institutions to participate. As a result, interest in cryptocurrency is expanding beyond simple price exposure, with over 60% of respondents expressing interest in staking, lending, derivatives, and tokenized assets. This reflects a growing demand for yield-generating strategies and more sophisticated portfolio construction. Additionally, stablecoins are gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases, including treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities. However, barriers to adoption remain, including concerns around volatility, counterparty risk, and the lack of established valuation frameworks. Despite these challenges, the survey suggests that the conversation around cryptocurrency is shifting, with institutions increasingly focused on how to invest in digital assets, rather than whether to do so.