Laser Digital Seeks Japan Crypto License for Institutions
Nomura’s Swiss arm Laser Digital is in pre-consultation with Japan’s Financial Services Agency for a Japan crypto license, aiming to provide broker-dealer and asset management services to domestic institutions and exchanges. Building on its Dubai license, the firm targets growing institutional demand amid a surge in Japan’s digital asset market, where transaction volumes reached ¥33.7 trillion ($230 billion) in the first seven months of 2025. The move follows Daiwa Securities’ launch of a Bitcoin and Ether-backed lending service and reflects regulatory reforms, including crypto rules aligned with securities law, tax incentives and a new yen-pegged stablecoin. A Nomura-Laser Digital survey found 54% of investment managers plan to invest in digital assets within three years, underscoring rising institutional appetite. Approval of the Japan crypto license would boost liquidity and align local regulations with global standards, potentially creating new opportunities for crypto traders.
Bullish
The pursuit and likely approval of a Japan crypto license by Laser Digital signals stronger regulatory clarity and institutional entry into the market. In the short term, traders can expect improved liquidity and increased trading volumes on domestic platforms once broker-dealer services launch. Over the long term, the alignment of local rules with global standards and expanded asset management offerings should drive sustained institutional inflows, underpinning higher price support for major tokens like BTC and ETH. Combined with recent regulatory reforms and growing survey-backed interest from investment managers, this development enhances market depth and reduces barriers to entry, reinforcing a bullish outlook for the crypto sector.