Laser Digital
“Can Nomura build the regulated, multi-jurisdiction institutional trust layer for tokenised and digital assets?”
Founded2022
HQZurich, Switzerland
IndustryFintech / Crypto
The story
Founded 2022 as Nomura's dedicated digital-assets arm to bridge traditional finance and crypto markets for institutional clients. Built out a multi-jurisdiction regulated footprint — VARA (UAE), FCA appointed representative (UK) and JFSA registration (Japan) — before pursuing a US national trust bank charter in 2026 to add custody and tokenised-asset administration under OCC supervision. Increasingly moving from OTC trading and asset management toward regulated custody, stablecoin issuance and structured financing infrastructure.
Last 12 months
Product timeline
2022
Nomura establishes Laser Digital as its digital-assets subsidiary in Zurich.· pivot
2023
Laser Digital Middle East authorised by Dubai VARA (VL/23/06/001).· banking
2023
Laser Digital Japan Co., Ltd. established (Oct 2, 2023).· banking
2024
Acquires Elysium Technology Group for cross-asset post-trade solutions.· acquisition
2026
Receives OCC conditional approval for Laser Digital National Trust Bank (US).· banking
2026
Laser Digital Japan receives regulatory approval as Crypto Asset Exchange Service Provider under Japan's Payment Services Act (Aug 2026).· banking
2026
Partners with GMO Internet Group to explore JPY and USD stablecoin issuance in Japan.· pivot
2026
Applied to charter Laser Digital National Trust Bank — national trust bank (OCC, New York, NY); conditional approval — Corporate Decision 1377 2026-05-29. [charter]· banking
Acquisitions
Regulated entities
4
regulatory licences held by Laser Digital
Licence types, jurisdictions and registered entities are in the Embedded Finance Index report.
Bank charter application
Laser Digital National Trust BankConditional approval
National trust bank · OCC · New York, NY
Conditional approval · Corporate Decision 1377 · 2026-05-29
Digital-asset custody trust bank for Nomura's Laser Digital unit.
Source · OCC decision letter
The stack
2 layers disclosed in Laser Digital’s embedded-finance stack
Lending
Laser Digital (in-house)
Crypto
in the full report
Accounting gap: none
2 more providers across 1 layer, with confidence-scored evidence and source URLs, are in the Embedded Finance Index report.