Nomura's Laser Digital Eyes Crypto Trading License in Booming Japan Market
Japan's crypto industry is booming, driven by global trends and domestic reforms. Nomura Holdings' subsidiary, Laser Digital, is set to enter this thriving market, seeking a crypto trading license for institutional services.
Japan's crypto transactions surged to ¥33.7 trillion in 2025, reflecting a doubling in just seven months. This growth is attributed to regulatory reforms and pro-crypto policies. Nomura's Laser Digital, launched in 2022, sees this potential and is in talks with the Financial Services Agency (FSA) to offer regulated services to institutions like exchanges, banks, and hedge funds.
Already holding a crypto license in Dubai, Laser Digital established a Japanese unit in 2023. Its expansion into Japan is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on the growing institutional interest in digital assets. Nomura's long-term optimism about Japan's regulatory framework is evident in its decision to enter the digital-asset market through Laser Digital.
Laser Digital's application for a crypto trading license in Japan is still pending. If approved, it will provide broker-dealer services, further boosting Japan's rapidly expanding crypto industry.
