Key Takeaways
- • 65% of institutional investors surveyed by Nomura view cryptocurrency as a vital portfolio diversifier, signaling mainstream acceptance of digital assets among sophisticated capital allocators.
- • Positive sentiment among investment professionals has risen to 31% over the next year, up from 25% in 2024, while negative sentiment has declined, reflecting improving market perception as the asset class matures.
- • 79% of respondents considering crypto exposure plan to invest within three years, with expected allocations concentrated in the modest 2–5% range, indicating institutions remain in early adoption stages with measured commitment levels.
- • Regulatory clarity and new investment products—including ETFs and tokenized assets—are primary catalysts for institutional engagement, with Japan refining its crypto frameworks around classification, taxation, and investor protections.
- • Survey encompassed over 500 investment professionals in Japan, conducted by Nomura and its crypto subsidiary Laser Digital, providing data-driven evidence of institutional appetite shift in a major Asia-Pacific market.
Summary
Institutional investors are demonstrating measurably warmer sentiment toward cryptocurrency, according to a new survey from Nomura and Laser Digital released on April 19, 2026. The study, based on responses from more than 500 investment professionals in Japan, documents a significant shift in perception toward digital assets as regulatory frameworks solidify and new financial products expand access.
The headline finding reflects substantial institutional recognition of crypto's diversification potential. Sixty-five percent of respondents identified cryptocurrency as a vital portfolio diversifier, while positive sentiment toward digital assets over the next 12 months increased to 31% from 25% in 2024. Conversely, negative sentiment has declined, suggesting a gradual maturation in how institutional capital views the asset class. Among investors actively considering exposure, 79% indicated plans to initiate or expand positions within three years, though expected allocations remain conservative—typically between 2% and 5% of total portfolio value. This measured approach underscores that institutional adoption remains in its infancy despite rising confidence.
The shift is being catalyzed by two interconnected developments: improved regulatory clarity and the emergence of institutional-grade investment products. In Japan specifically, policymakers have spent the past year refining cryptocurrency frameworks, addressing classification standards, tax treatment, and investor protection mechanisms. Globally, the approval and expansion of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and tokenized assets have substantially reduced the regulatory and operational uncertainty that previously deterred institutional participation. These structural changes have lowered barriers to entry for conservative allocators.
Beyond simple price exposure, institutions are beginning to explore broader use cases within digital assets. The data suggests that as regulatory confidence improves and product innovation continues, institutional capital is prepared to allocate incrementally but deliberately to cryptocurrencies as a strategic portfolio component rather than a speculative bet. For hedge funds, family offices, and institutional asset managers monitoring alternative investment trends, the survey provides quantified evidence that crypto adoption among professional investors is moving from fringe interest to measured mainstream consideration.
The headline finding reflects substantial institutional recognition of crypto's diversification potential. Sixty-five percent of respondents identified cryptocurrency as a vital portfolio diversifier, while positive sentiment toward digital assets over the next 12 months increased to 31% from 25% in 2024. Conversely, negative sentiment has declined, suggesting a gradual maturation in how institutional capital views the asset class. Among investors actively considering exposure, 79% indicated plans to initiate or expand positions within three years, though expected allocations remain conservative—typically between 2% and 5% of total portfolio value. This measured approach underscores that institutional adoption remains in its infancy despite rising confidence.
The shift is being catalyzed by two interconnected developments: improved regulatory clarity and the emergence of institutional-grade investment products. In Japan specifically, policymakers have spent the past year refining cryptocurrency frameworks, addressing classification standards, tax treatment, and investor protection mechanisms. Globally, the approval and expansion of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and tokenized assets have substantially reduced the regulatory and operational uncertainty that previously deterred institutional participation. These structural changes have lowered barriers to entry for conservative allocators.
Beyond simple price exposure, institutions are beginning to explore broader use cases within digital assets. The data suggests that as regulatory confidence improves and product innovation continues, institutional capital is prepared to allocate incrementally but deliberately to cryptocurrencies as a strategic portfolio component rather than a speculative bet. For hedge funds, family offices, and institutional asset managers monitoring alternative investment trends, the survey provides quantified evidence that crypto adoption among professional investors is moving from fringe interest to measured mainstream consideration.
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