Nomura-backed Laser Digital wins Japan's first crypto approval in four years
Laser Digital, the digital asset subsidiary backed by Japanese financial giant Nomura, has received regulatory approval to operate as a crypto asset exchange service provider in Japan — marking the country's first such approval granted in four years. The clearance was issued by Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA), allowing Laser Digital to offer cryptocurrency services within one of Asia's most strictly regulated financial markets.
Japan has maintained a cautious stance toward new crypto registrations since tightening its regulatory framework following high-profile exchange collapses, including the 2018 Coincheck hack that resulted in the theft of approximately $530 million in digital assets. The FSA's stringent vetting process has kept the number of licensed operators limited, with no new approvals granted since 2022.
The approval carries significant weight for the broader digital asset industry, signaling a potential easing of Japan's regulatory posture toward institutional-grade crypto operators. Laser Digital's backing by Nomura — one of Japan's largest and most established investment banks — is widely seen as a factor that may have strengthened its application, reflecting growing institutional interest in bringing regulated crypto infrastructure to the Japanese market.
Industry observers will be watching whether this approval opens the door for additional applications from other institutional players seeking entry into Japan, and how Laser Digital structures its initial product offerings under the FSA's compliance requirements.
Source: CoinDesk
