A new survey conducted by Nomura, a Tokyo-based bank, and its cryptocurrency division, Laser Digital, reveals that institutional investors are becoming increasingly receptive to digital assets. The survey, which gathered responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now have a positive outlook on cryptocurrency over the next year, up from 25% in 2024. Meanwhile, the number of respondents with negative sentiments has decreased, indicating a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures. The primary theme emerging from the study is the role of diversification, with 65% of respondents viewing cryptocurrency as a vital tool for diversifying their portfolios.
Furthermore, 79% of those considering investing in cryptocurrency plan to do so within the next three years, with most expecting to allocate between 2% and 5% of their portfolio to cryptocurrency. This shift is supported by a changing regulatory environment, with policymakers in Japan refining cryptocurrency frameworks over the past year.
Globally, clearer regulations and the expansion of cryptocurrency investment products have reduced uncertainty, encouraging institutions to adopt cryptocurrency. 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.
Stablecoins are also gaining popularity, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases such as treasury management and cross-border payments. However, concerns around volatility, counterparty risk, and valuation frameworks continue to hinder adoption. Despite these challenges, the survey suggests that the conversation around cryptocurrency is shifting, with institutions now focused on how to invest in cryptocurrency rather than whether to do so, indicating that digital assets are becoming an increasingly standard component of institutional portfolios.