A new study conducted by Nomura and its digital assets arm, Laser Digital, shows that institutional investors are becoming increasingly receptive to digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and the expansion of use cases. The survey, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now have a positive outlook on crypto for the next year, marking a 6% increase from 2024. Meanwhile, the percentage of respondents with negative views has decreased, indicating a gradual shift in perception as the asset class continues to mature. A key finding of the study is the importance of diversification, with 65% of respondents viewing crypto as a vital component of portfolio diversification.
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 policymakers in Japan refining crypto frameworks over the past year. Globally, the introduction of clearer rules and the expansion of crypto investment products have reduced uncertainty, encouraging institutions to invest.
As a result, interest in digital assets is expanding beyond simple price exposure, with over 60% of respondents expressing interest in staking, lending, derivatives, and tokenized assets. Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases such as treasury management and cross-border payments.
However, challenges persist, including concerns around volatility, counterparty risk, and the lack of established valuation frameworks. Despite these challenges, the survey suggests that the conversation around crypto is shifting, with institutions increasingly focused on how to invest in digital assets rather than whether to do so, indicating that crypto is moving closer to becoming a standard component of institutional portfolios.