Nomura announces plan to establish new digital asset company

By Leandra Monteiro

Nomura Holdings, Inc. (NHI) announced the creation of a new digital asset company that will offer institutional clients a comprehensive suite of trading, investor products and investment services.

Due to launch later this year, the new digital asset company will provide institutional clients and investors with products and services linked to cryptocurrencies, stable coins, decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other tokens.

Steve Ashley, Chair of the new company and Head of Wholesale Division, said, “This is a major step forward as we look to scale-up our digital asset-related businesses and investments. The new company will enable us to build an edge in providing institutional clients with access to a wide range of new products and services and contribute meaningfully towards responsible innovation in the digital asset ecosystem.”

The new company will operate as a wholly-owned segregated entity of NHI, with dedicated capital and resources to accelerate time-to-market and ensure the pace of innovation required in the digital asset ecosystem. Specialist staff from Nomura will be integrated into the new company in addition to external hires.

The announcement follows the establishment of Nomura’s Digital Company in April this year. The Digital Company was formed following a reorganization of Nomura’s Future Innovation Company, with one strategic intention of building Nomura’s presence in the digital asset space.

Hajime Ikeda, Head of Digital Company, said, “Staying at the forefront of digital innovation is a key priority for Nomura. Digital assets and the ecosystem around them represent a generational shift in how financial assets can be created and used.”

“Establishing this new company is a critical foundation for us and key to building an end-to-end digital asset offering,” said Jez Mohideen, the unit’s newly appointed CEO. “The company will have top talent and business agility along with access to Nomura’s global network to build a top tier institutional digital asset franchise.”