By
Bhushan Akolkar
April 29th, 2024
Laser Digital has been gradually expanding its array of services. In September, it unveiled a “long-only” Bitcoin exposure fund for its institutional clients called the Bitcoin Adoption Fund.
Laser Digital, the digital asset arm of Japanese financial services giant Nomura, has opened a new office in Tokyo. The move is part of the Switzerland-based firm’s plan to expand its presence in the Far East.
In an October 2 press release, Laser Digital has also announced the appointment of Hideaki Kudo as a Representative Director and head of its new base. Prior to this new appointment, Kudo – who has been with the Nomura Group since 2007 – served as an Executive Director at Nomura’s Digital Company and oversaw digital strategy, working on projects such as the development of security tokens for Nomura Group and launching the first real estate security token offering in Japan. Before this, he was he was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Nomura Asset Management.
“It’s exciting to join Laser as they expand operations to Japan. Since 2019 I have been managing Nomura’s advancements into the digital asset space and I am delighted to now join the Laser team on their journey,” Kudo said of his new role.
Laser Digital was launched last year by Nomura and co-founded by Steven Ashley, formerly in charge of Nomura’s wholesale division and Jez Mohideen, who was Nomura’s Chief Digital Officer and Co-Head of Global Markets EMEA. Outside Switzerland, the firm has offices in London and Dubai and is focused on venture capital, asset management and trading. So far, it has invested in more than ten crypto startups such as Orderly Network, WebN Group and Infinity Exchange.
Commenting on the expansion into Japan and Kudo’s appointment, Steve Ashley stated; “To optimize support of our trading business we wanted to have 24/7 operational management, so for coverage in the far east Japan was obviously our top choice. Kudo-san’s experience at the Digital Company will be invaluable to Laser Digital’s development and growth, we are thrilled to welcome him to our team.”
Laser Digital has been gradually expanding its array of services. In September, it unveiled a “long-only” Bitcoin exposure fund for its institutional clients called the Bitcoin Adoption Fund. This came after the June acquisition of Elysium Technology Group to provide post-trade solutions for over-the-counter foreign exchange and digital assets. In addition, the firm’s Dubai branch was granted an operating license by the city’s Vitrual Asset Regulatory Authority on September 26. This will allow it to operate as a crypto broker-dealer and asset manager for both virtual and digital assets.