Nomura’s digital asset subsidiary, Laser Digital Asset Management, has recently launched a Bitcoin Adoption Fund specifically catered to institutional investors in Japan. This marks the first in a series of digital adoption investment solutions that the firm plans to introduce.
Nomura, Japan’s largest investment bank with over $500 billion in assets, is well-known for providing brokerage services to leading institutional investors. With the launch of its Bitcoin fund, the bank’s digital asset arm now offers these investors direct exposure to Bitcoin.
The Laser Digital Bitcoin Adoption Fund is designed to provide long-only exposure to Bitcoin. To ensure secure custody of the digital assets, Nomura has partnered with Komainu, a regulated custody provider. The Bitcoin fund is part of Laser Digital Funds Segregated Portfolio Company, which has been registered as a mutual fund under the supervision of the Cayman Islands Regulatory Authority.
According to Sebastien Guglietta, head of Laser Digital Asset Management, Bitcoin plays a crucial role in facilitating long-lasting transformative changes. By offering long-term exposure to Bitcoin, the fund aims to provide investors with the opportunity to capture this ongoing macro trend.
Although the Bitcoin Adoption Fund is the first of its kind launched by Nomura and its digital asset arm, the investment banking giant has been actively investing in the digital asset ecosystem for some time. In September 2022, Nomura launched its digital asset venture capital arm to stay at the forefront of digital innovation. Additionally, Laser Digital, Nomura’s crypto arm, obtained the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) license in Dubai earlier this year.
This launch comes at a time when there is growing discussion around Bitcoin-based investment products offered by regulated and mainstream financial institutions. While the United States Securities and Exchange Commission has approved two Bitcoin-based futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the decision on spot Bitcoin ETFs has been delayed. However, countries like Canada and Europe have already approved several Bitcoin-focused investment products in recent years.
The introduction of the Bitcoin Adoption Fund by Nomura demonstrates the increasing acceptance and adoption of cryptocurrencies by traditional financial institutions. With this fund, institutional investors in Japan can now gain exposure to Bitcoin within a regulated framework.
Investors and industry observers are optimistic about the future of Bitcoin and the potential for more institutional investment in the crypto market. As the overall interest in digital assets continues to grow, it is likely that we will see more financial giants like Nomura launching similar initiatives to meet the demand from institutional investors seeking exposure to cryptocurrencies.
In conclusion, Nomura’s digital asset subsidiary, Laser Digital Asset Management, has launched a Bitcoin Adoption Fund, providing institutional investors in Japan with direct exposure to Bitcoin. As the first of its kind, this fund signifies the bank’s commitment to the digital asset ecosystem and showcases the increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies in traditional finance. With regulated custody and long-term exposure to Bitcoin, the fund offers institutional investors the opportunity to capture the ongoing macro trend in the crypto market. As the conversation around Bitcoin-based investment products gains momentum globally, more financial institutions are expected to follow suit, further fueling the adoption of cryptocurrencies in the traditional financial space.
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