Nomura explores sale of crypto unit Laser Digital, report says

Nomura Holdings Inc (NYSE:NMR) is reportedly considering selling its digital-assets arm, Laser Digital Holdings AG, according to Bloomberg. The move would see the Japanese brokerage divest its Zurich-based subsidiary, which has been a drag on profitability due to sharp swings in cryptocurrency markets. Tokyo-based Nomura has begun talks with potential buyers, including commodities and financial services platform Marex Group Ltd. However, discussions are still in the preliminary stages, and Nomura may ultimately decide to keep the subsidiary or pursue an alternative buyer.

The proposed sale signals a strategic shift for Nomura's CEO, Kentaro Okuda, who had previously promoted Laser Digital as a key component of the company's efforts to capitalize on emerging digital financial opportunities. Since its establishment in 2022, Laser Digital has offered institutional trading, asset management, and venture-capital support within the digital-assets ecosystem.

The unit has managed to expand its institutional presence despite market volatility, securing a Japanese cryptoasset exchange license, receiving conditional approval for a U.S. national trust-bank charter, and hiring derivatives traders from Galaxy Digital.