A new study from Nomura and its crypto arm Laser Digital indicates that institutional investors are increasingly embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and expanding 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, up from 25% in 2024, while negative sentiment has decreased.
A key finding is that 65% of respondents consider crypto a vital portfolio diversifier, with 79% of those considering investment planning to do so within three years, typically allocating between 2% and 5% of their portfolio. The shift is supported by a evolving regulatory landscape, with clearer rules in major markets and the development of crypto investment products such as ETFs and tokenized assets. As a result, institutions are looking beyond simple price exposure, with over 60% of respondents interested in staking, lending, derivatives, and tokenized assets, reflecting a growing demand for yield-generating strategies and sophisticated portfolio management. Stablecoins are also gaining popularity, with 63% of respondents identifying potential use cases in treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenized securities.
While challenges such as volatility, counterparty risk, and regulatory uncertainty remain, the survey suggests that institutions are now focused on how to invest in crypto, indicating that digital assets are becoming a more mainstream component of institutional portfolios.