Nomura-Backed Laser Digital Wins Japan Registration for Digital-Asset Business

Laser Digital, Nomura Holdings Inc.'s digital-asset unit, has obtained registration to operate a digital-asset business in Japan.

CoinDesk reported on August 21 that Laser Digital Japan, the company's local unit, was registered by Japan's financial regulator as a digital-asset exchange service provider. Laser Digital has been seeking regulatory approval to enter the Japanese market since October last year.

Laser Digital Japan plans to initially provide liquidity services to digital-asset businesses in Japan. It later aims to expand into digital-asset trading services for institutional investors. The company has not disclosed a launch date or the scope of those services.

"Japan's digital-asset market is entering a new stage of maturity," Laser Digital co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jez Mohideen said. "With institutional interest rising, the market needs reliable counterparties and infrastructure tailored to their needs."