• Nomura plans potential crypto exchange launch by end of 2026
• Daiwa and SMBC Nikko are also exploring entry
• Regulatory reform in Japan may accelerate institutional adoption
Japan’s largest securities firms are preparing for a possible shift into crypto exchange services.
According to local reporting, Nomura aims to launch trading operations by the end of 2026 as regulatory momentum builds in Tokyo.
Nomura Crypto Exchange Japan Plan Targets 2026 Launch
Nomura Holdings is considering launching a crypto exchange business, Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported.
The outlet said Nomura intends to operate through its Swiss-based digital asset arm, Laser Digital.
Nomura manages roughly $673 billion in client assets, making it Japan’s largest securities firm by scale.
Meanwhile, Daiwa Securities Group and SMBC Nikko Securities are also weighing entry into the exchange market, the newspaper reported.
DL News said it contacted the firms for comment.
Corporate Clients Seen as Primary Target
The reported plans focus mainly on serving corporate investors rather than retail traders.
Firms are positioning ahead of expected demand growth if Tokyo relaxes restrictions on crypto exchange-traded funds, according to the newspaper.
Because ETF approval could widen institutional participation, securities groups appear eager to establish infrastructure early.
Regulatory Reform Could Open the Door
Japan maintains strict licensing requirements for crypto exchanges.
So far, only a limited number of operators have secured permits under the current framework.
However, the Financial Services Agency has proposed amendments to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Local media reports suggest regulators want to reclassify Bitcoin and other major tokens as investment products instead of payment instruments.
If enacted, the change could make it easier for traditional financial firms to expand crypto services.
Rivals Already Moved Through Acquisitions
Other securities players have taken alternative routes.
SBI Holdings and Monex Group previously acquired smaller licensed exchanges and integrated them into their existing operations.
Nomura may need to pursue a similar strategy or apply directly for a domestic license, depending on regulatory timelines.
In November, Nomura and Daiwa joined other financial institutions in expressing interest in launching crypto investment funds for domestic clients.
Market Backdrop: Adoption Plans Persist Despite Volatility
Despite recent price weakness in global digital assets, Japanese firms appear committed to long-term crypto strategies.
Earlier statements from Nomura said its commitment to digital asset businesses remains intact, even after reducing certain cryptocurrency positions following losses at Laser Digital.
That stance suggests firms view current market conditions as cyclical rather than structural.
Japan’s leading securities firms are positioning for potential regulatory easing and broader institutional demand.
Whether Nomura and its peers proceed may depend on licensing approvals and the pace of reform from Tokyo regulators.
