Nomura study says 65% of institutional investors see crypto as a vital portfolio diversifier
A new survey from Nomura and Laser Digital shows improving sentiment among institutional investors, as regulatory clarity and new products drive deeper engagement with digital assets.
What to know:
- 31% of institutional investors now have a positive outlook on crypto, up from 25% in 2024.
- 79% of those considering crypto plan to invest within three years, mostly allocating 2%–5% of portfolios.
- Interest is expanding beyond spot exposure into staking, lending, derivatives and tokenized assets.
A central theme is diversification. Some 65% of respondents said they view crypto as a portfolio diversifier, while 79% of those considering exposure plan to invest within three years. Most expect relatively modest allocations — typically between 2% and 5% — suggesting institutions are still in the early stages of adoption.
That shift is being supported by a changing regulatory and policy backdrop. In Japan, policymakers have spent the past year refining crypto frameworks, including discussions around classification, taxation and investor protections. Globally, clearer rules in major markets — alongside the approval and expansion of crypto investment products such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and tokenized assets — have reduced some of the uncertainty that previously kept institutions on the sidelines.
