Laser Digital Japan Secures First New Crypto License in Four Years

Laser Digital Japan has secured a crucial license as an exchange service provider in Japan's Payment Services Act, marking the first new entrant to receive this type of clearance in roughly four years. The subsidiary, backed by Nomura Holdings, the country's largest investment bank, will initially supply liquidity to domestic virtual asset platforms before expanding into trading services for professional investors.

The license is a significant milestone on Laser Digital Japan's roadmap since opening its Tokyo office in October 2025. Co-founder and CEO Jez Mohideen said the local market is entering a new phase of maturity, driven by growing interest from professional investors who require trusted counterparties and infrastructure built specifically for their needs.

The regulatory backdrop behind the news includes the country's parliament passing revisions reclassifying virtual assets as financial instruments under its Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. This structural shift lays the legal groundwork for potential products such as ETFs and introduces separate tax treatment, with the new framework expected to take effect in 2027.