Key Takeaways
- • 79% of institutional investors considering crypto exposure plan to invest within three years, according to a Nomura and Laser Digital survey of 500+ investment professionals in Japan, with most targeting allocations between 2% and 5% of portfolios.
- • 65% of institutional investors now view cryptocurrency as a portfolio diversifier, representing a significant shift in perception as regulatory clarity and new investment products reduce uncertainty in major markets.
- • Positive sentiment on crypto increased to 31% year-over-year (up from 25% in 2024), while negative sentiment has declined, indicating institutional warming toward digital assets despite historical volatility concerns.
- • Regulatory improvements and product expansion are primary adoption drivers, with clearer frameworks in Japan and globally, alongside ETF approvals and tokenized assets, reducing barriers to institutional entry.
- • Interest extends beyond price exposure to yield-generating strategies, with over 60% of respondents interested in staking and tokenized assets, and stablecoins gaining traction for operational use cases.
Summary
A new survey from Tokyo-based Nomura and its crypto unit Laser Digital reveals a measurable shift in institutional investor sentiment toward digital assets, driven by regulatory clarity and the maturation of cryptocurrency markets. The study, based on responses from over 500 investment professionals in Japan, found that 31% of respondents now hold a positive outlook on crypto over the next year—up from 25% in 2024—while negative sentiment has declined correspondingly.
The research highlights two critical adoption metrics: 65% of respondents view crypto as a portfolio diversifier, and 79% of those actively considering exposure plan to invest within three years. Expected allocations remain conservative, typically ranging between 2% and 5% of total assets under management, suggesting institutions remain in early adoption phases despite growing conviction. This measured approach reflects both institutional caution and the gradual capital deployment typical of large financial organizations.
Regulatory and policy developments are accelerating institutional engagement. In Japan, policymakers have refined crypto frameworks throughout 2025-2026, addressing classification, taxation, and investor protections. Globally, the approval and expansion of cryptocurrency investment products—particularly exchange-traded funds and tokenized assets—have substantially reduced the uncertainty that previously deterred institutional participation. These structural improvements have shifted the strategic conversation from whether to invest in crypto to how best to integrate it into institutional portfolios.
Institutional interest now extends beyond simple price appreciation. More than 60% of respondents expressed interest in yield-generating strategies such as staking and tokenized assets, while stablecoins are gaining operational traction across various use cases. This diversification of applications indicates that institutional adoption is broadening from speculative exposure to functional integration within investment and operational frameworks, though volatility and residual regulatory concerns remain considerations for portfolio managers.
The research highlights two critical adoption metrics: 65% of respondents view crypto as a portfolio diversifier, and 79% of those actively considering exposure plan to invest within three years. Expected allocations remain conservative, typically ranging between 2% and 5% of total assets under management, suggesting institutions remain in early adoption phases despite growing conviction. This measured approach reflects both institutional caution and the gradual capital deployment typical of large financial organizations.
Regulatory and policy developments are accelerating institutional engagement. In Japan, policymakers have refined crypto frameworks throughout 2025-2026, addressing classification, taxation, and investor protections. Globally, the approval and expansion of cryptocurrency investment products—particularly exchange-traded funds and tokenized assets—have substantially reduced the uncertainty that previously deterred institutional participation. These structural improvements have shifted the strategic conversation from whether to invest in crypto to how best to integrate it into institutional portfolios.
Institutional interest now extends beyond simple price appreciation. More than 60% of respondents expressed interest in yield-generating strategies such as staking and tokenized assets, while stablecoins are gaining operational traction across various use cases. This diversification of applications indicates that institutional adoption is broadening from speculative exposure to functional integration within investment and operational frameworks, though volatility and residual regulatory concerns remain considerations for portfolio managers.
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