This Week In Crypto Asia: Nomura Targets Crypto Market Access In Japan Amid Growing Demand

Crypto adoption is surging in Japan, and newer players are locking in. Nomura Holdings, Japan’s largest investment bank and brokerage firm, is looking to expand its role in Japan’s growing crypto market.

Its wholly owned crypto subsidiary, Laser Digital, is now working with Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) to get approval for offering crypto trading services to big investors in the country.

An article by Bloomberg, dated 3 October 2025, highlighted Laser Digital CEO, Jez Mohideen’s comment that the application underscores Nomura’s strong belief in Japan’s digital asset space and its long-term potential.

Japan’s crypto market has been on a tear this entire year. According to the data shared by the Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association, transaction value doubled to ¥33.7 trillion ($230 Bn) in just the first seven months of the year.

Furthermore, crypto momentum in Japan is being boosted by supportive global policies, especially in the US and domestic changes such as tax cuts and new rules for crypto investment funds.

Nomura Holdings plans to expand in Japan’s digital-asset market through a subsidiary, as crypto trading in the country heats up https://t.co/vV6z8i9JTZ

— Bloomberg (@business) October 3, 2025

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(Source: Chainalysis)

Meanwhile, crypto is also being mainstreamed in Japan and is now slowly gaining ground in Japan’s traditional finance (TradFi) sector.

Case in point, Daiwa Securities, the country’s second largest brokerage, revealed that customers at its 181 retail branches can now use Bitcoin and Ether as collateral to borrow Yen.

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With A 120% On-Chain Growth, Japan Opens Up For  Institutional Crypto Trading

Credit where it’s due, thanks to Japan’s government reforms, the crypto market in the country has found its mojo now that it’s easier and more attractive to invest.

Tax cuts and clearer rules for crypto-focused funds are encouraging more people, particularly younger investors and big institutions, to include digital assets in their portfolios.

The growth hasn’t gone unnoticed. From June 2024 to June 2025, Japan saw a 120% jump in on-chain transaction value, edging out South Korea, India and Vietnam.

In our next preview chapter of the 2025 Geography of Crypto Report, we explore APAC’s acceleration as the world’s fastest-growing crypto region. From India’s market leadership to Japan’s regulatory shifts, see how distinct national pathways are shaping adoption:… pic.twitter.com/TRwXN1wlWB

— Chainalysis (@chainalysis) September 24, 2025

Moreover, new policies that increasingly treat tokens as investment-grade assets and the licensing of Japan’s first Yen-backed stablecoin issuer have fueled the growth.

Nomura launched its crypto arm, Laser Digital, in 2022 to offer services like asset management and venture capital.

In 2023, Laser Digital secured a full crypto license in Dubai and opened a branch in Japan. Now, it’s seeking approval to offer trading services to both traditional financial firms and crypto companies, including exchanges operating in Japan.

However, all’s not well in Laser Digital’s camp. Earlier this year, Nomura posted a loss in its European operations, which the company partly blamed on Laser’s underwhelming performance.

Mohideen had hoped the unit would be profitable within two years, but later admitted it might take longer to break even.

Despite these challenges, Nomura’s push into Japan shows it’s serious about growing its presence in a fast-changing crypto market.

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