Nomura-backed Laser Digital Japan becomes first newly registered crypto exchange in four years

Laser Digital Japan has been approved as a crypto asset exchange service provider, making it the first new entrant to secure registration in Japan in four years. Backed by Nomura Securities, the firm's approval is viewed as a notable step for Japan's tightly regulated digital-asset market, where licensing requirements remain among the most stringent globally. With registration in hand, Laser Digital Japan can operate within Japan's regulated crypto framework. The company will initially focus on providing liquidity services to domestic virtual asset service providers (VASPs), aiming to support market efficiency and strengthen trading infrastructure. Laser Digital Japan also plans to broaden its business into digital-asset trading for institutional investors, positioning itself to meet growing demand for regulated crypto investment access. Japan's recent move to reclassify crypto assets as financial instruments is expected to provide a clearer regulatory base for additional products, including potential crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Market participants are expected to track Laser Digital's rollout and expansion plans closely, as Japan continues to refine rules designed to foster a compliant, institution-friendly digital-asset ecosystem.