Nomura-Backed Laser Digital Becomes First New Crypto Provider Approved in Japan in Four Years

Laser Digital has secured registration as a crypto asset exchange service provider in Japan, marking the country’s first new approval in this category in four years. The Nomura backed firm will begin by offering liquidity services to domestic virtual-asset providers, with plans to later expand into institutional trading.

Growing Institutional Interest

Laser Digital first began its regulatory process in Japan in October 2025. A recent survey conducted with Nomura found that 79% of respondents planned to invest in crypto assets within the next three years, reflecting rising institutional appetite in the country. Laser Digital CEO Jez Mohideen said Japan’s digital asset market is entering a more mature phase, with institutional investors seeking trusted infrastructure and counterparties.

Regulatory Shift Underway

The approval comes as Japan recently reclassified cryptocurrencies as financial instruments, laying the legal groundwork for potential crypto ETFs and separate tax treatment. These new rules are expected to take effect in 2027. Laser Digital executive chairman Steve Ashley said the move reflects a broader global trend toward stronger digital-asset infrastructure for institutional investors.