Nomura crypto arm Laser Digital bags Abu Dhabi license

The firm chose to expand into Abu Dhabi due to the innovation-friendly crypto regulations.

View Details

Nomuras Laser Digital to Offer Crypto Trading, Asset Management in Abu Dhabi

LaserDigital, a digital asset arm of global financial services group Nomura, hasreceived a Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial ServicesRegulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The approvalmarks the completion of Laser Digital's licensing process with ADGM.

Nomura's Laser DigitalWins Abu Dhabi Regulatory Approval

The FSPallows Laser Digital to provide broker-dealer and asset management services forboth virtual assets and traditional assets within ADGM, Abu Dhabi'sinternational financial center and free zone. The company's UAE entity is ledby CEO Jez Mohideen, with Ramin Shayesteh serving as Head of Distribution.

"Weare eager to contribute responsibly to the virtual asset industry in theUAE," said Mohideen in a statement. "We have always been committed toupholding the highest standards of compliance and regulations at ADGM, and welook forward to contributing to ADGM's ecosystem."

LaserDigital, backed by the Japanese financial services giant Nomura, wasestablished in the second half of 2022in Switzerland, which is known for its crypto-friendly regulations. In thefollowing years, however, the company tooksteps to acquire licenses in other regions of the world, including the MiddleEast.

With theADGM approval, Laser Digital joins a growing list of digital asset firms, establishing a presence in Abu Dhabi as the UAE continues to position itself asa hub for the industry.

"We'redelighted to welcome Laser Digital as we expand our financial community toinclude partners such as Laser, whose offerings align with ADGM and the FSRA'sinternational best practices and progressive regulatory ecosystem," ArvindRamamurthy, Chief of Market Development at ADGM, commented, welcoming LaserDigital to the financial center's growing community.

LaserDigital is currently among the three companies aiming to introduce a newcryptocurrency product in Japan, specifically"Stablecoin-as-a-Service," and they are collaboratively working onthe issuance of JPY and USD stablecoins in Japan.

Meanwhile, Nomuras crypto subsidiary has strengthened its leadership by appointingHideaki Kudo as a Representative Director and the head of Laser's newlyestablished office in Tokyo.

View Details

These 3 Companies Want to Offer "Stablecoin-as-a-Service" in Japan

NomuraHoldings, Inc., a global financial services group, and its digital assetsubsidiary, Laser Digital Holdings AG, have announced a strategic partnershipwith GMO Internet Group, Inc. to explore the issuance of Japanese yen (JPY) andUS dollar (USD) stablecoins in Japan.

Nomura and GMO InternetGroup Explore Stablecoin Issuance in Japan

Thiscollaboration aims to leverage each company's experience to provide a securestablecoin solution for the Japanese market. GMO Internet Group, through its USsubsidiary GMO-Z.com Trust Company, Inc., has a proven track record in issuingstablecoins on major blockchains such as Ethereum, Stellar, and Solana.

The companyoperates a digital currency management system supporting multiple technological platforms and monitoring features for currencytransactions and operations.

"Asstablecoins will inevitably play an important part in financial markets, Nomuraand its Digital Asset subsidiary Laser Digital are excited to partner with GMO, said Kentaro Okuda, the President and Group CEO of Nomura Holdings. Thisproject has the potential to greatly enhance digital asset accessibility andinnovation in the Japanese financial landscape."

Were excited to share the release from our group headquarters, GMO Internet Group, along with Nomura Holdings and Laser Digital. Full details about the press release: https://t.co/l95jvwhLzn#stablecoin pic.twitter.com/uWWK84GU4L

Thecollaboration between Nomura, Laser Digital, and GMO Internet Group will delveinto the various aspects of stablecoin issuance, including the creation,redemption, and circulation processes for both JPY and USD stablecoins.Additionally, the partnership aims to introduce a comprehensive servicedesigned to assist companies interested in issuing their own stablecoins.

Thisservice will encompass essential elements such as ensuring compliance withregulatory requirements, integrating the necessary blockchain technology, and seamlessly managing backend transactions.

As thedigital asset landscape evolves, the development of a stablecoin for use in theJapanese market will be key to expanding the accessibility and adoption ofdigital assets in Japan and beyond, commented Steve Ashley, the ExecutiveChairman at Laser Digital. "We're excited to explore this project and the stablecoin-as-a-service' solution."

Stablecoins,digital assets linked on a 1:1 basis with fiat currencies, merge the stabilityof traditional money with the benefits of digital technology, facilitatingquicker, less expensive, and clearer transactions. Stablecoin-as-a-Service (SCaaS) is a blockchain-based solution that enables businesses and institutions to issue, manage, and transfer their own branded stablecoins without the need for extensive internal research and development.

New Hires in Nomura and Laser Digital

Earlierthis month, Nomura unveiled plans to double its profits to over $3 billion bythe end of the current decade, aiming to refocus resources, particularly withinits wholesale division.

Meanwhile, the company also hired a new Chief Economistfor Developed Markets, hedge fund veteran David Seif. Previously, it hadappointed former Deutsche Bank executive, Hemish Shah, as the new Head of EMEAFlow Rates.

Additionally, Laser Digital, part of Nomura, further strengthenedits leadership by hiring Hideaki Kudo as the new Representative Director andHead of the newly established office in Tokyo.

View Details

Nomura Bank launches Libre with Polygon for on-chain tokenization of alternative assets

Libre, the institutional Web3 infrastructure platform, has officially launched on-chain, enabling the tokenization of alternative assets following its successful cross-chain transaction on Polygon, according to a March 19 statement shared with CyptoSlate. Libre is a collaborative effort between WebN, a web3 incubator hub, and Japan-based investment bank Nomura’s digital asset subsidiary, Laser Digital. Earlier in the […]

The post Nomura Bank launches Libre with Polygon for on-chain tokenization of alternative assets appeared first on CryptoSlate.

View Details

Investors want crypto, but not without TradFi backing: Nomura survey

A Nomura Laser Digital survey has revealed the majority of institutional investors polled are still keen on crypto.

View Details

Laser Digital Joins ATFX and CMC Markets in Dubai Crypto Push, Gains VASP License

Another popular company from the finance world has decided to build its presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is increasingly becoming a hub for cryptocurrency.

Laser Digital Middle East FZE, a digital asset subsidiary of Nomura operating out of Dubai, announced today (Tuesday) its successful acquisition of a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from the emirate's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA). This allows Laser Digital to extend its services in the UAE.

Nomura's Laser Digital Opens for Cryptocurrencies in Dubai

This license approval enables Laser Digital to provide Virtual Asset (VA) Broker-Dealer Services and VA Management and Investment Services, thereby boosting its position in the digital asset sector. The company, under the leadership of the CEO Jez Mohideen and the Head of Distribution Cameron Dickie, is planning to launch its Trading and Asset Management businesses. The main goal is to bring a suite of digital asset investment products and solutions to institutional investors.

Founded last year by Nomura, Laser Digital was the brainchild of Steven Ashley, the former head of Nomura's wholesale division, and Jez Mohideen, Nomura's former Chief Digital Officer and Co-Head of Global Markets EMEA. Laser Digital is headquartered in Switzerland but operates from London and Dubai.

On the occasion, Mohideen stated his gratitude towards VARA for approving their operating license and expressed optimism about Laser Digital's future growth.

"VARA's thorough and consultative process provides institutional investors with the assurance they require to engage in this asset class. With the license now in place, we are looking forward to Laser's growth over the coming years" Mohideen added.

Consequently, Normua is the latest financial sector firm to enter the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency industry in the UAE and Dubai. Along with numerous cryptocurrency exchanges, like Binance, brokers and investment banks such as ATFX and CMC Markets have also entered the scene.

Dubai Leverages Crypto Regulatory Woes

Binance's situation demonstrates that cryptocurrencies have not earned regulators' confidence in the US and Europe. Thus, like many other exchanges, it has sought other safe havens, landing in places like the UAE and Hong Kong.

In light of regulatory hurdles in Europe and the USA, the Middle East may become the primary hub for the crypto industry. This is evident from the recent movements by Binance and their acquisition of another local license.

Moreover, the local market could have considerable potential concerning the number of retail investors interested in trading. The increasing number of active traders in the FX/CFD market substantiates this.

"New traders continue to be attracted by an ability to trade with small amounts and their desire to learn a new skill. Market volatility has also been a more effective prompt this year," Lorenzo Vignati, the Associate Research Director at Investment Trends, explained this trend.

View Details