Laser Digital Japan has officially completed its registration process, becoming the first new firm to receive crypto asset exchange registration in Japan in four years. Backed by Nomura, the company received approval to operate as a Crypto Asset Exchange Service Provider under Japan’s Payment Services Act on August 21, 2026.
Following a detailed review of the firm’s risk management and governance frameworks by regulators, the company is now authorized to operate within the country. Steve Ashley, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Laser Digital, stated that the registration reflects the company's ability to meet stringent regulatory requirements in Japan, mirroring its track record in other markets.
Dr. Jez Mohideen, Co-founder and CEO of Laser Digital, noted that Japan's digital assets market is entering a new phase of maturity. Hideaki Kudo, Representative Director and Head of Laser Digital Japan, emphasized the firm's ongoing commitment to a strong compliance and investor protection framework.
Initial Services and Institutional Expansion
Laser Digital Japan plans to initially serve liquidity needs for domestic virtual asset service providers before eventually expanding into institutional trading services. Specific details regarding the official launch date and the full scope of services have not yet been announced, with further information expected in the coming months.
The approval coincides with recent regulatory reforms in Japan's digital asset sector, which include new rules covering stablecoins and the reclassification of crypto assets as financial instruments. These regulatory updates could potentially support future products such as crypto ETFs.
Rising Institutional Interest
The entry into the Japanese market aligns with growing institutional interest in digital assets. A 2026 Institutional Investor Survey published jointly by Nomura and Laser Digital found that approximately 65% of surveyed investors view cryptocurrency as an opportunity for portfolio diversification. Furthermore, nearly 79% of surveyed institutions indicated plans to invest in crypto within a three-year timeframe.
Survey findings also show that investor concerns are increasingly shifting toward practical matters such as custody, compliance, and market infrastructure as demand for structured access continues to rise.
