Japan’s major financial institution Nomura Holdings has announced that it is scaling back its cryptocurrency exposure after recording losses in its digital asset business during the third quarter of its fiscal year.
The move comes after Nomura revealed that its Swiss-based crypto trading subsidiary, Laser Digital Holdings, suffered losses between October and December 2025 due to increased market volatility. According to Bloomberg, unstable price movements across major cryptocurrencies negatively impacted trading performance.
During the company’s earnings briefing on January 30, Nomura’s Chief Financial Officer Hiroyuki Moriuchi stated that the firm has implemented stricter position management strategies. These measures aim to reduce risk exposure and limit earnings fluctuations caused by sudden swings in the crypto market.
The decision follows a highly volatile period for the crypto sector. While Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies reached all-time highs during the market rally in October, the momentum faded over the next two months. Bitcoin dropped more than 30% from its peak, and crypto prices continued to decline further. At the time of reporting, Bitcoin was trading below $75,500, its lowest level since 2024.
Despite the losses, Nomura reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the digital asset sector, describing it as a promising area for future growth. The firm emphasized that it is not exiting crypto entirely but is shifting toward a more disciplined and risk-managed approach.
The crypto-related losses also affected Nomura’s financial results. The company reported a third-quarter consolidated net profit of ¥91.6 billion ($591.6 million), which came below the average analyst forecast of ¥95.1 billion ($614 million). However, core business operations remained strong, according to the report.
On February 2, Nomura’s shares opened lower and dropped as much as 6.7% to ¥1,318 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange during trading hours. To support shareholder returns, the company simultaneously announced a share buyback program worth up to ¥600 billion ($38.7 billion), equivalent to around 3.2% of its outstanding shares.
Nomura’s move reflects a broader trend among traditional financial institutions. While interest in digital assets remains strong, firms are increasingly prioritizing risk control and capital protection over aggressive exposure. This signals that institutional participation in crypto is entering a more mature phase, focused on sustainability rather than speculation.
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