Nomura Group Unveils Bitcoin Fund Catering to Institutional Investors

Nomura Digital Assets, a subsidiary of Japan’s leading financial institution, Nomura Group, has ventured into the world of digital assets with the launch of a Bitcoin fund. This strategic move is designed to streamline access to digital assets for major investors, responding to the escalating demand for cryptocurrency investments. It marks Nomura’s maiden foray into providing investment solutions tailored to the digital asset arena.

In a press release dated September 19, Laser Digital Asset Management, the digital asset management arm of Nomura, proudly introduced the Bitcoin Adoption Fund, a specialized offering aimed squarely at institutional investors. This fund underscores the growing breadth of cryptocurrency adoption in Japan.

Facilitating Bitcoin Uptake

The Laser Digital Bitcoin Adoption Fund offers institutional investors an attractive proposition, blending cost-efficiency with robust security measures. In a bid to safeguard the fund’s holdings, Laser has enlisted the services of Komainu, a custody solution established in 2018, which is subject to regulatory oversight and jointly formed by Nomura, Ledger, and Coinshares.

Fiona King, the head of Laser Digital Asset Management, emphasized the fund’s meticulous management and compliance standards. Notably, the fund operates as a segregated portfolio within the mutual fund entity, Laser Digital Funds SPC.

Nomura Holdings foresees that its crypto-focused division, Laser Digital, will begin turning a profit within the next two years. This projection is a response to the surging demand for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, pitting Nomura against established traditional heavyweights such as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs.

While Laser Digital already offers Bitcoin derivatives to its institutional clientele, the prolonged bear market has impacted the company’s growth trajectory. Due to the recent downturn in cryptocurrency values, Nomura has cautioned that it might take longer than initially anticipated for Laser Digital to achieve profitability.