Nomura’s Laser Digital Invests In ZIGChain To Expand UAE Private Credit

Laser Digital, the digital assets arm of Japan’s Nomura Group, has made a strategic investment in ZIGChain, a UAE based Layer 1 blockchain that also works with Standard Chartered and Apex Group. The investment size wasn’t disclosed but is understood to be in the high single-digit millions.

Partnership Targets Gulf Private Credit Markets

The deal aims to streamline private credit markets across the Gulf States, including Sharia-compliant offerings. ZIGChain co-founder Abdul Rafay Gadit said the partnership grew out of a meeting with Laser Digital CEO Jez Mohideen, helped along by both firms being based in Dubai, “literally one kilometer apart.”

Addressing A Two-Sided Credit Gap

Gadit said the region’s private credit market suffers from a mismatch: borrowers who can’t access traditional banks, and capital holders unaware of opportunities or locked out by high fees and large fund minimums. “We are democratizing that,” he said.

Comes After Nomura Tightened Crypto Risk Limits

The move follows Nomura’s decision in February to tighten risk limits at Laser Digital after crypto losses hit quarterly profit, though the firm said it remained committed to crypto with a more cautious approach. Mohideen said execution risk in onchain private credit has often been underestimated, adding that Laser’s role is to bring institutional grade risk frameworks to ZIGChain’s regional origination network.