Nomura Explores Sale of Crypto Unit Laser Digital After European Losses
Nomura Holdings is in talks with potential buyers, including Marex Group, for its crypto subsidiary Laser Digital, according to Bloomberg. The discussions follow losses that pushed the Japanese brokerage's European operations into a quarterly deficit, and no final decision has been made.
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What Is Being Considered
Nomura Holdings is exploring a sale of Laser Digital Holdings, its Zurich-based crypto subsidiary, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The talks include Marex Group, which is evaluating a possible acquisition. Both reports say no final decision has been reached, and Nomura could sell to another buyer or keep the business.
The Losses Behind the Review
The discussions follow significant losses at Laser Digital during a period of volatile crypto markets, and those losses pushed Nomura's European operations into a quarterly deficit. Nomura's management has responded by tightening risk controls, and the company has previously acknowledged substantial swings in crypto earnings. The source reports do not agree on the scale of that loss. Crypto Briefing describes the deficit as tied to Laser Digital's losses in general terms, while The Defiant's summary does not quantify the figure, so no specific loss amount can be confirmed from the material available.
Laser Digital's Position in Nomura's Strategy
Founded in 2022, Laser Digital provides institutional crypto trading, asset management and venture capital investments. It sits alongside tokenization platform Boostry and crypto custody provider Komainu within Nomura's broader digital asset strategy. Even with the losses, the unit has kept expanding. It recently secured a crypto exchange license in Japan and, in May, received conditional approval from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish a national trust bank. The proposed bank would offer custody and administration for digital assets, tokenized securities and traditional financial assets, subject to final regulatory approval.
Marex and the Broader Market
Marex has been widening its own crypto business, offering institutional execution, clearing, financing and structured products. In October it introduced a rolling spot crypto product for institutional clients trading over the counter. A sale to Marex would combine that offering with Laser Digital's trading, asset management and credit activities, though neither report confirms the terms or structure under discussion.
The talks come during a prolonged crypto downturn. Bitcoin traded below $74,000 on Wednesday, more than 40% below its peak. Japan's crypto transaction volume, including margin trading, fell by more than half to ¥17.2 trillion ($108.5 billion) in the first nine months of 2026, according to industry association data.
Why It Matters
For Traders
A possible sale of a major institutional crypto unit may draw attention to Marex and Nomura, but no deal has been agreed and the outcome remains uncertain.
For Investors
Large traditional brokerages pulling back from crypto losses would signal weaker institutional appetite, while a sale to Marex could show consolidation among institutional crypto providers.
For Builders
Shifts in ownership of custody and trust-bank providers like Komainu and Laser Digital could change which institutional counterparties and integration partners remain available.
This article is for information only and is not financial advice. Read the full disclaimer.
