Japanese financial services powerhouse Nomura Holdings is contemplating the divestment of its digital asset subsidiary, Laser Digital, following a period where financial setbacks impacted its European division.
Nomura has engaged in discussions with prospective buyers, such as financial services company Marex Group, which is currently evaluating a potential transaction, according to a Bloomberg report citing individuals acquainted with the situation. The sources indicated that a final choice has not been reached, and Nomura might ultimately choose to keep the enterprise.
This deliberation regarding a possible sale arrives as Nomura’s European branch registered a pre-tax deficit of 7.4 billion yen ($46.3 million) during the three-month period concluding on September 30, representing four consecutive quarters in the red. The regional data does not specify the exact financial impact attributed to Laser Digital.
Established in 2022 and headquartered in Zurich, Laser Digital delivers digital asset trading and portfolio management solutions to enterprise clients, alongside backing early-stage blockchain ventures.
Nomura previously attempted to limit the division’s vulnerability to cryptocurrency market volatility. In January, Chief Financial Officer Hiroyuki Moriuchi stated that the organization intended to reduce trading risk while simultaneously growing its fund management and custody offerings, which entail safeguarding digital assets for customers.
Even in the face of these deficits, Laser Digital has continued to advance its regulatory growth initiatives.
The organization’s Japanese branch secured registration as a cryptocurrency exchange platform during August, initially designed to provide liquidity to other digital asset entities. Furthermore, American regulators issued a preliminary conditional green light in May for a planned national trust bank, though it still requires definitive clearance prior to launching operations.
Representatives for both Nomura and Marex did not immediately provide statements when contacted by CoinDesk for comment.
Originally published at https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/11/12/nomura-weighs-laser-digital-sale-as-european-losses-hit-four-straight-quarters-bloomberg.
