Nomura’s Laser Digital Seeks U.S. Trust Bank License

• Laser Digital wants a U.S. trust bank charter for crypto custody
• The move targets institutional demand for regulated digital asset services
• Traditional finance firms deepen their role in crypto infrastructure

Nomura’s digital asset arm, Laser Digital, has applied for a U.S. national trust bank charter as it pushes deeper into regulated crypto custody. The move signals strong institutional appetite for compliant digital asset infrastructure in the United States.

Momentum around institutional adoption keeps building, with trends similar to those covered in Bitcoin ETF demand surges globally and major banks expand crypto services. Laser Digital now wants to position itself at the center of that shift.

A national trust bank license would allow the firm to offer custody services under a U.S. regulatory framework that appeals to asset managers, hedge funds, and pension funds. These institutions want exposure to digital assets, but they demand bank-grade oversight and risk controls.

Institutional Custody Race Intensifies

Crypto custody has turned out to be one of the most competitive spaces in the digital finance industry. Institutions looking to enter the space require secure storage, operational transparency, and regulatory clarity. Laser Digital seeks to address these requirements by aligning with U.S. banking standards.

While retail-oriented platforms focus on consumer-centric solutions, institutions looking to provide custody solutions require the ability to handle large balances, complex compliance requirements, and rigorous reporting requirements. The application for a banking charter by Laser Digital highlights the seriousness with which traditional financial institutions view the crypto infrastructure space.

Nomura’s involvement gives credibility to the approach. As one of the largest financial conglomerates in Japan, Nomura can provide global reach and credibility to appeal to large-scale clients.

Why a Trust Bank Charter Matters

The U.S. national trust bank structure provides a niche solution for digital asset companies. This allows companies to be regulated at the federal level but concentrate on fiduciary and custody business rather than lending.

Regulators such as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency oversee these charters. Approval would give Laser Digital a recognized legal framework to safeguard client assets and interact with other regulated financial institutions.

The push is also a sign of a wider trend in the industry. Companies such as Anchorage Digital are already operating in a similar charter capacity, which has given institutions greater confidence to invest in the crypto space.

Traditional Finance Deepens Crypto Role

This move is indicative of the continued integration of traditional finance into the digital asset space. Rather than competing solely with crypto-native companies, banks and asset managers are now building regulated bridges between traditional markets and blockchain networks.

Laser Digital’s approach marries Nomura’s financial acumen with crypto-native technology. This is because this hybrid model enables institutions to deal with custody, reporting, and risk management in-house, without necessarily having to look to offshore or lightly regulated sources.

On the other hand, regulators also have greater visibility into the institutional-level activity in the crypto space when companies are operating within national systems.

Outlook for U.S. Crypto Infrastructure

If regulators approve the charter, Laser Digital could become a major player in U.S. institutional crypto custody. The approval would also reinforce the message that digital assets now sit firmly within the financial mainstream.

As more banks pursue similar paths, the line between traditional finance and crypto infrastructure continues to blur. Institutional investors may soon treat digital asset custody as a standard financial service rather than a niche offering.

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