Nomura And Laser Digital Survey: 31% Of Japanese Institutions Bullish On Crypto, Up From 25%

@Nomura and its digital asset subsidiary @LaserDigital_ have released their 2026 institutional survey on digital asset trends, painting a picture of steadily improving sentiment among Japan's investment community. The survey polled 518 professionals across institutions, family offices, and public-interest organisations, and marks a notable shift from the same study conducted in June 2024.

The share of respondents holding a positive outlook on crypto rose to 31% from 25%, while those with a negative view fell to 18% from 23%. Among those considering a crypto allocation over the next three years, 79% said they plan to invest, with 60% of that group expecting to commit between 2% and 5% of their portfolios.

Diversification emerged as the primary driver, cited by 65% of respondents as their rationale for exploring the asset class. Interest spans a broad range of products and strategies, with staking and mining attracting 66% interest, followed by tokenised assets and lending at 65% each, and derivatives at 63%. Stablecoins also drew significant attention, with 63% of respondents identifying use cases including treasury management, cross-border payments, and investment in tokenised securities. Bank-issued stablecoins denominated in JPY, USD, and EUR received the highest trust ratings among respondents.

Despite the improved sentiment, meaningful barriers remain. Respondents flagged counterparty risk, market volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and the absence of established frameworks for fundamental analysis as the key obstacles still standing between Japanese institutions and broader crypto adoption.