Laser Digital, the digital assets subsidiary established by Japanese investment banking giant Nomura Holdings, has initiated the process of applying for a US banking charter. This strategic move is part of a growing trend among major cryptocurrency and blockchain firms seeking to transition their operations ‘onshore’ and operate under formal US regulatory oversight, thereby gaining access to traditional financial infrastructure and boosting institutional confidence.
The application, which reportedly targets a specialized charter aimed at institutional custody and asset management—potentially through regulators such as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) or key state banking departments—signals Nomura’s continued commitment to the digital asset space despite recent market volatility. A US charter would provide Laser Digital with regulatory clarity, enabling it to offer regulated services such as institutional crypto trading, custody solutions, and tokenized fund management directly to US clients who require strict compliance mandates.
Firms seeking regulated banking status believe this approach is essential to bridging the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and the nascent digital asset economy. For Nomura, establishing a regulated US presence through Laser Digital ensures it remains competitive with other major financial houses that have recently moved into the custody and institutional crypto markets. The move underscores the increasing pressure on digital asset companies to abandon fragmented regulatory structures in favor of established, centralized frameworks to attract long-term institutional capital.
Source: Nomura-backed Laser Digital seeks US banking charter amid crypto firms’ push onshore
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