A new survey conducted by Nomura, a Tokyo-based bank, and its cryptocurrency division, Laser Digital, reveals a growing acceptance of digital assets among institutional investors. The survey, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now have a positive outlook on cryptocurrency for the upcoming year, marking an increase from 25% in 2024.
Conversely, negative sentiment has decreased, signifying a gradual shift in perception as the asset class evolves. A key finding is that 65% of respondents consider cryptocurrency a vital component for diversifying their portfolios, with 79% of those contemplating investment planning to do so within the next three years. Most institutions anticipate allocating between 2% and 5% of their portfolios to cryptocurrency, indicating they are still in the early stages of adoption.
This shift is supported by a changing regulatory landscape. In Japan, policymakers have refined cryptocurrency frameworks over the past year, including discussions on classification, taxation, and investor protection.
Globally, clearer regulations in major markets and the approval of cryptocurrency investment products, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and tokenized assets, have reduced uncertainty, prompting institutions to reconsider their engagement. As a result, interest in cryptocurrency extends beyond mere 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 management.
Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases, including treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities. Despite the progress, challenges persist, including concerns over volatility, counterparty risk, and the lack of established valuation frameworks. While regulatory uncertainty is improving, it has not been entirely alleviated. Nonetheless, the survey indicates a shift in the conversation, with institutions increasingly focused on how to invest in cryptocurrency rather than whether to do so, suggesting that digital assets are moving closer to becoming a standard component of institutional portfolios.