A growing number of institutional investors are embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and an expanding range of use cases, as highlighted in a new survey by Nomura and its crypto subsidiary Laser Digital. 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, up from 25% in 2024. Meanwhile, the decline in negative sentiment suggests a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures.
A key theme emerging from the survey is the importance of diversification, with 65% of respondents viewing crypto as a vital portfolio diversifier. Moreover, 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. This shift is supported by a changing regulatory landscape, with policymakers in Japan refining crypto frameworks over the past year. Globally, clearer regulations and the expansion of crypto investment products have reduced uncertainty, encouraging institutions to invest.
As a result, interest in crypto 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, 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 crypto is shifting, with institutions increasingly focused on how to invest in digital assets, rather than whether to do so.