Nomura explores sale of crypto subsidiary Laser Digital
Nomura Holdings is weighing a potential sale of its Zurich-based crypto arm, Laser Digital, after losses pushed the Japanese brokerage's European operations into the red.
Nomura Holdings is exploring a potential sale of its cryptocurrency business, Laser Digital Holdings AG, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The Japanese brokerage has held discussions with potential suitors, including Marex Group, which is evaluating a transaction. However, talks remain preliminary, no final decision has been made, and Nomura could sell to another bidder or choose to retain the business.[4][5][1]
The prospective divestment follows steep losses at the Zurich-based unit that dragged Nomura's entire European operations into the red. Nomura's European business has recorded four straight quarters of losses, prompting the firm to tighten its risk controls.[4][5][2][6]
Established in 2022, Laser Digital provides institutional cryptocurrency trading, asset management, and venture investment services, with recent expansions into decentralized finance and private credit. The subsidiary secured a crypto exchange services license in Japan in August and received conditional approval for a U.S. national trust bank charter in May.[5][3][7]
Key facts
- Nomura Holdings is exploring a potential sale of its Zurich-based crypto arm, Laser Digital, according to Bloomberg.
- Marex Group is among the prospective buyers evaluating a purchase of Laser Digital.
- Losses at Laser Digital pushed Nomura's European business into the red, where operations have posted four consecutive quarters of losses.
- No final decision has been made, and Nomura could sell the unit to another buyer or keep the business.
- Laser Digital launched in 2022 to provide crypto trading, asset management, and venture investment, later expanding into DeFi and private credit.
- Laser Digital registered as a Japanese crypto exchange in August and obtained conditional approval for a U.S. national trust bank charter in May.
Sources · 7 sources
- TB
The Block@TheBlockCoPost on X ·
NEW: Nomura is exploring a possible sale of its crypto unit Laser Digital, with Marex among the potential buyers evaluating a deal, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. No final decision has been made, and Nomura could sell Laser to another buyer or retain the business. The talks follow losses at Laser that pushed Nomura's European operations into the red last year.
Open source - CO
CoindeskArticle ·
Nomura weighs Laser Digital sale as European losses hit four straight quarters The Japanese brokerage has held talks with potential buyers, including Marex, as its European business posts more losses.
Open source - BS
BSCN@BSCNewsPost on X ·
Japan's Biggest Broker May Be Ready to Walk Away From Crypto Nomura Holdings is exploring a potential sale of its crypto subsidiary, Laser Digital, Bloomberg reports. The Zurich-based firm offers crypto trading, asset management and on-chain credit services. Its losses last year reportedly dragged Nomura's European business into the red. Laser Digital entered the market in 2022 and has since expanded into DeFi and private credit. It also secured a Japanese crypto exchange registration in August. Bloomberg says potential buyers include Marex Group. A sale would mark a major change in Japan's institutional crypto ambitions.
Open source - BL
Bloomberg@businessPost on X ·
Nomura is exploring the sale of its crypto business Laser Digital, after losses at the Zurich-based entity last year pushed the brokerage’s entire European operation into the red https://t.co/hG6g7CGybk
Open source - WB
Wu Blockchain@WuBlockchainPost on X ·
Japan’s Largest Brokerage Nomura Explores Sale of Crypto Unit Laser Digital According to Bloomberg, Japan’s Nomura Holdings is exploring a potential sale of its crypto unit Laser Digital and has held talks with prospective buyers, including Marex Group, which is evaluating a deal. No final decision has been made, and Nomura may retain the business. Losses at Laser Digital amid crypto market volatility pushed Nomura’s European operations into a quarterly loss, prompting tighter risk controls. Founded in 2022, Laser Digital provides institutional crypto trading, asset management and venture investment services. The firm recently obtained a crypto exchange services license in Japan and received conditional approval for a US national trust bank charter in May.
Open source - CT
Coin TelegraphArticle ·
Nomura explores sale of crypto unit Laser Digital: Bloomberg The potential sale of Laser Digital follows a fourth straight quarterly loss for Nomura’s European operations.
Open source - CN
crypto.news@cryptodotnewsPost on X ·
JUST IN: Nomura Holdings is exploring a potential sale of its crypto subsidiary, Laser Digital While the Zurich-based firm has expanded from crypto trading into DeFi and private credit since launching in 2022, its losses reportedly pushed Nomura’s European business into the red, with Marex Group among potential buyers.
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