Laser Digital Japan Secures Regulatory Approval for Institutional Crypto Services | LeapRate
Laser Digital Japan Co., Ltd. (LDJ), the Japanese arm of Nomura’s digital assets subsidiary Laser Digital, announced on August 21 that it has completed its registration as a Crypto Asset Exchange Service Provider under Japan’s Payment Services Act.
The approval marks the first new entrant into Japan’s crypto asset industry since 2022, ending a four-year pause in fresh registrations within the country’s digital asset sector.
LDJ said it will initially focus on improving liquidity across the domestic market for local virtual asset service providers, with plans to later offer institutional investors trading access to digital assets. Further details on launch timing and the scope of services are expected at a later date.
Steve Ashley, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Laser Digital and Chairman of Laser Digital Japan, said the registration reflects the firm’s ability to meet regulatory standards in Japan while building on its experience in other markets.
Dr. Jez Mohideen, Co-founder and CEO of Laser Digital, said Japan’s market is entering a more mature phase, creating demand for trusted infrastructure suited to institutional needs. Hideaki Kudo, Representative Director and Head of Laser Digital Japan, called the approval an important milestone following a rigorous review process.
The registration follows the 2026 Institutional Investor Survey, jointly published by Nomura and Laser Digital, which found growing interest among Japanese institutional investors in digital assets.
According to the survey, 65% of respondents view crypto assets as a diversification opportunity, and nearly 79% of those plan to invest within the next three years, suggesting a shifting outlook toward digital assets in Japan’s institutional investment landscape.
