A growing number of institutional investors are embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and an expanding range of use cases, according to a recent survey by Nomura and its digital asset subsidiary, Laser Digital. The study, 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, up from 25% in 2024, while negative sentiment has decreased, indicating a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures. Diversification is a key theme, with 65% of respondents viewing crypto as a vital portfolio diversifier, and 79% of those considering investment planning to do so within three years. Most institutions anticipate modest allocations, typically between 2% and 5%, suggesting they are still in the early stages of adoption.
This shift is supported by a changing regulatory landscape, with clearer rules in major markets and the expansion of crypto investment products, such as ETFs and tokenized assets, reducing uncertainty. As a result, interest is expanding beyond simple price exposure, with over 60% of respondents expressing interest in staking, lending, derivatives, and tokenized assets, reflecting growing demand for yield-generating strategies and more sophisticated portfolio construction. Stablecoins are also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases, including treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities.
While barriers such as volatility, counterparty risk, and valuation frameworks remain, the survey suggests the conversation is shifting from whether to invest in crypto to how to do so, indicating that digital assets are becoming a more standard component of institutional portfolios.