Recently, there seems to be a rapid increase in institutional investors' interest in cryptocurrencies. Looking at the survey results announced by Nomura Securities, some quite interesting trends are emerging.

The survey targeted large institutional investors and family offices managing over $60 billion, with about 80% planning to allocate 2-5% of their portfolios to cryptocurrencies. This ratio is not insignificant. Of particular note, 65% of the responding institutions see cryptocurrencies as a means of diversification on par with stocks, bonds, and commodities. In other words, they are beginning to recognize them not as speculative assets but as legitimate investment options.

And here’s the truly important part. When it comes to where investors are specifically focusing, there is overwhelming interest in DeFi mechanisms. More than two-thirds of respondents desire to earn profits through staking and other methods. Furthermore, 65% are paying attention to lending and tokenized assets, and 63% are exploring derivatives and stablecoins.

Stablecoins, in particular, are recognized for their practical value. They are expected to be used for cash management, cross-border payments, and tokenized asset investments, with 63% of investors evaluating this potential. The fact that stablecoins issued by major financial institutions are garnering the most trust also reflects the cautiousness of institutional investors.

According to Nomura Securities’ analysis, clarifying regulations, increasing awareness, and developing risk management frameworks will be key factors influencing future investment expansion. While issues such as the opacity of asset valuation methods and regulatory uncertainties remain, diversification of investment products and advances in risk management practices are accelerating institutional investor participation. In short, the market is heading toward maturity.