Nomura-backed firm cleared under Payment Services Act; plans liquidity services for domestic crypto firms before expanding to institutional trading as Japan reforms digital asset rules.
Alpha Score of 60 reflects moderate overall profile with strong momentum, strong value, poor quality. Based on 3 of 4 signals — score is capped at 90 until remaining data ingests.
Laser Digital Japan has become the first new firm to receive crypto asset exchange registration in Japan in four years. The Nomura-backed company got approval on August 21 to operate as a Crypto Asset Exchange Service Provider under the Payment Services Act.
The registration ends a stretch without new entrants since 2022. Japan's Financial Services Agency reviewed the firm's risk management and governance before signing off.
Laser Digital Japan will start by offering liquidity services to domestic virtual asset service providers. Institutional trading services are planned for a later phase. The company has not announced a launch date or the full service scope yet.
Steve Ashley, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Laser Digital, said institutional appetite for digital assets is rising globally. "Sophisticated investors are increasingly looking for access and the necessary quality of infrastructure behind it," he said. "This registration reflects our ability to meet regulatory requirements in Japan, building on the track record we have established in other markets."
Dr. Jez Mohideen, Co-founder and CEO, called it an important moment. "Japan's digital assets market is entering a new phase of maturity," he said. "There remains a need for trusted counterparties and infrastructure designed specifically for their requirements."
Hideaki Kudo, Representative Director and Head of Laser Digital Japan, described the approval as a milestone. "Completing the rigorous regulatory review process marks an important milestone in our roadmap to serve the Japanese market," Kudo said, adding that the firm remains committed to compliance and investor protection.
Japan spent the last four years reforming its digital asset rules. The changes include new stablecoin regulations and the reclassification of crypto assets as financial instruments, which could support future products such as crypto ETFs, according to the government's road map.
The 2026 Institutional Investor Survey, published jointly by Nomura and Laser Digital, found stronger sentiment toward digital assets. About 65% of respondents view crypto assets as an opportunity for portfolio diversification. Nearly 79% of those respondents said they plan to invest within three years.
The same survey showed investor concerns shifting toward custody and market infrastructure, rather than regulatory uncertainty alone.
Details about the launch date and service scope have not been announced. Laser Digital Japan said it will share further information in the coming months.
Prepared with AlphaScala editorial tooling from the source reporting linked above. Indexable analysis may include a cited Alpha Score value. Publishing checks screen each story before release. Educational coverage, not personalized advice.