A growing number of institutional investors are embracing digital assets, driven by improving sentiment and an expansion of use cases, according to a recent study 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, negative sentiment has decreased, indicating a gradual shift in perception as the asset class matures.
A key theme emerging from the study is the role of crypto in portfolio diversification, with 65% of respondents viewing it as a vital component. Furthermore, 79% of those considering investment 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 clearer rules in major markets and the approval of crypto investment products such as ETFs and tokenized assets reducing uncertainty.
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.
However, barriers to adoption remain, including concerns around volatility and regulatory uncertainty. Nevertheless, 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.