TL;DR
- Nomura Holdings is advancing its crypto strategy through subsidiary Laser Digital, which has formally applied for regulatory approval to operate as a broker in Japan.
- Daiwa Securities is progressing on a parallel path by enabling clients to borrow against Bitcoin and Ethereum holdings.
- Both moves reflect a rapid shift among major financial players who now see digital assets as a legitimate revenue source rather than an experimental niche.
Laser Digital seeks registration with Japan’s Financial Services Agency to provide crypto services directly to banks, funds, and licensed trading venues. The decision aligns with rising transaction activity across domestic exchanges and improving sentiment toward digital assets among portfolio managers. A joint report by Nomura and Laser Digital in early 2024 found that most institutional investors intend to allocate a portion of their assets to crypto within the next few years, with staking and ETF products ranking among their preferred instruments.
Brokerages are competing to modernize their offerings as earnings from traditional securities trading face pressure. Crypto is viewed as a hedge against stagnation in conventional markets. For global players, Japan stands out due to its clearly defined regulatory structure, which contrasts with ongoing uncertainty in Western jurisdictions. Laser Digital already holds a crypto license in Dubai and has expanded its workforce in Tokyo to fast-track development. Some insiders suggest that cross-border liquidity hubs could emerge if regulatory cooperation strengthens between Japan, Singapore, and the UAE.
Momentum Builds Across Japan’s Capital Markets
Daiwa Securities started exploring blockchain applications as early as 2018 through ventures such as Fintertech. Its latest service allows clients to unlock liquidity without selling core holdings. Analysts see strong appetite among pension funds and insurers that want exposure without taking delivery.
Nomura appears committed despite earlier setbacks. Internal reports revealed operational losses linked to Laser Digital’s European division. However, leadership framed the current expansion as a long-term strategy to secure relevance in a rapidly digitizing financial system.
Executives argue that once full licensing is achieved, profitability will scale quickly due to pent-up demand from domestic funds seeking regulated access. Some observers even speculate that tokenized securities could soon trade alongside conventional equities if infrastructure upgrades proceed as expected.
Industry observers believe Japan could become a benchmark for global crypto compliance. If the FSA approves Laser Digital’s application, it would mark one of the most significant endorsements yet of institutional-grade digital asset services. For now, the idea from Tokyo is unmistakable. Crypto is no longer treated as a speculative experiment. It is being structured as financial infrastructure.
