Nomura Holdings is preparing to strengthen its footprint in Japan’s digital asset market through its Switzerland-based subsidiary, Laser Digital Holdings. The wholly owned unit is seeking regulatory approval to offer trading services to institutional clients in the country.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Jez Mohideen, Chief Executive Officer of Laser Digital, confirmed that the firm is in pre-consultation talks with Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA). He noted that the move underscores Nomura’s confidence in Japan’s evolving digital asset ecosystem.
Nomura launched Laser Digital in 2022 to provide services across asset management, venture capital, and trading. The unit secured a full crypto business license in Dubai in 2023 and established a Japanese subsidiary the same year.
If granted approval in Japan, Laser plans to operate as a broker-dealer catering to both traditional financial institutions and digital-asset exchanges.
“Japan has positioned itself as one of the most forward-looking digital asset jurisdictions globally, and we see significant demand from institutional investors,” Mohideen said.
Industry experts highlight that both younger investors and institutional players are increasingly adding digital assets to their portfolios, spurred by government tax reforms and clearer regulatory guidelines.
Japan’s crypto adoption has also attracted international attention, with on-chain value received in the country rising 120% in the 12 months to June 2025, outpacing South Korea, India, and Vietnam. This surge has been supported by reforms recognizing more tokens as investment instruments and the licensing of Japan’s first yen-backed stablecoin issuer.
The nation’s second-largest brokerage, Daiwa Securities, is expanding its services to include cryptocurrencies. The firm announced this week that clients across 181 retail branches can now pledge Bitcoin and Ether as collateral to borrow yen.
The integration highlights how digital assets are being woven into traditional finance as demand from both retail and institutional investors accelerates. Daiwa’s entry into crypto-collateral lending underscores Japan’s role as one of the fastest-growing digital asset markets in Asia.