Nomura Holdings, Japan’s largest investment bank, along with its crypto subsidiary, laser Digital, released findings from a recent survey on cryptocurrencies on Monday.
The survey targeted over 500 investment managers in Japan, revealing that 54% of respondents plan to invest in crypto assets within the next 3 years. Nomura highlighted that a majority of respondents expressed varying degrees of interest in digital assets for future investments.
Among those considering crypto investments, factors such as the introduction of products like exchange-traded funds (ETFs), investment trusts, staking, and lending were cited as key drivers of crypto’s evolving landscape.
For institutions hesitant about crypto investments presently, concerns included counterparty risks, market volatility, and regulatory complexities.
Furthermore, 25% of survey participants held a “positive” view of cryptocurrencies, with 62% viewing them as an opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios.
The survey also revealed that the preferred allocation for crypto assets, when included in portfolios, ranged between 2% to 5% of assets under management (AUM).
Interest was also expressed in investing in Web3 projects, either directly or through venture capital (VC) funds.
Japan Inches Closer to a Streamlined Crypto Policy
Japan is currently advancing an economic reform bill with significant implications for the cryptocurrency industry. Earlier this year, the government introduced a legislative proposal allowing venture capital firms and other investment funds to directly hold digital assets.
This move not only legitimizes the institutional use of digital assets within Japan but also positions the country as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction on a global scale.
Independent financial news source FinanceFeeds reported in February that Japan leads globally in compliant crypto payments.
Moreover, in March, Japan’s $1.5 trillion pension fund began exploring the potential addition of Bitcoin to its investment portfolio.
Japan has also imposed rigorous regulations on stablecoins. Only banks, money transmission services, and trust firms are permitted to issue stablecoins. Additionally, all reserves backing the stablecoin’s value must be held in Japanese trust accounts and invested exclusively in domestic banks.
