Nomura’s Switzerland-based unit, Laser Digital, is in pre-consultation with Japan’s Financial Services Agency to apply for a Japan crypto license to offer institutional crypto trading and broker‑dealer services; the application timeline is undetermined and will depend on FSA discussions.
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Laser Digital is preparing to apply for a Japan crypto license aimed at institutional investors.
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Nomura and other Japanese institutions are expanding crypto services as regulation and demand evolve.
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Survey data: 54% of institutional managers expect to invest in crypto within three years; Japan onchain value grew 120% YoY.
Nomura Laser Digital Japan crypto license: breaking news on institutional access to crypto in Japan — read the update and analysis now.
Published: 2025-10-03 • Updated: 2025-10-03 • Author/Organization: COINOTAG
What is Nomura’s Laser Digital applying for in Japan?
Nomura Laser Digital is in pre-consultation with Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) to apply for a Japan crypto license that would allow the firm to offer institutional crypto trading and broker‑dealer services. The application date is currently undetermined and depends on the outcome of FSA discussions.
How would a Japan crypto license from the FSA change institutional access?
A license would enable Laser Digital to provide regulated trading and brokerage solutions to banks, institutional managers and crypto exchanges in Japan. This move supports a broader institutional shift as financial firms seek regulated entry points for crypto custody, lending and trading services.
Nomura Holdings is preparing its Switzerland-based subsidiary, Laser Digital Holdings, to expand into the Japanese market. A Laser Digital spokesperson confirmed pre-consultation talks with the FSA and an intention to file an application for licensing aimed at institutional clients. The firm plans to offer broker-dealer services for traditional financial firms and crypto-focused companies in Japan. Nomura is part of the Nomura Group, Japan’s largest investment bank and brokerage group.
Why are Japanese institutions increasing crypto activity?
Institutional demand is rising as regulatory clarity improves. Daiwa Securities Group has launched a crypto lending service allowing clients to borrow yen against BTC and ETH collateral. Nomura and Laser Digital’s survey showed 54% of investment managers — including family offices, corporations and institutional investors — expect to invest in cryptocurrencies within the next three years.
Regulatory moves in Japan are also shifting. Authorities have proposed reforms to align crypto rules with traditional securities frameworks, signaled tax changes to lower crypto taxes, and approved a yen‑pegged stablecoin. These policy changes correlate with increased onchain activity: a Chainalysis report identified Japan as the strongest growth market in APAC, with value received onchain up 120% year‑on‑year in the 12 months to June.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Laser Digital submit a formal application to the FSA?
The application date is currently undetermined; Laser Digital has stated it depends on the outcome of pre-consultation talks with the Financial Services Agency. Expect timing updates once consultations conclude.
Will a Japan crypto license allow retail trading?
Laser Digital’s stated focus is on institutional clients and broker‑dealer services for financial firms and exchanges, not direct retail trading platforms. Any retail offerings would require separate authorization and disclosures.
Key Takeaways
- Regulatory move: Laser Digital is in talks with the FSA to seek a Japan crypto license for institutional services.
- Institutional demand: 54% of surveyed investment managers expect crypto allocations within three years.
- Market momentum: Japan’s onchain value received increased 120% YoY, signaling rapid growth and regulatory adaptation.
How will the licensing process work for Laser Digital?
Regulatory approval will require compliance checks, governance and operational readiness for trading, custody, AML and KYC processes. The FSA’s feedback during pre-consultation will shape the formal application and required disclosures.
Context and sources: This report references statements from a Laser Digital spokesperson and survey data released by Nomura and Laser Digital. Additional market context is drawn from Chainalysis reporting and industry moves by firms such as Daiwa Securities and Metaplanet. These sources are cited as plain text for transparency.
Conclusion
The prospect of a Nomura Laser Digital Japan crypto license signals a meaningful push to channel institutional capital into regulated crypto markets. As Japan updates rules and leading financial firms deploy services, institutional access to digital assets is likely to expand — watch for FSA decisions and formal application timelines in the coming months.
