Bitcoin Gains Institutional Boost as Nomura Unit Launches 5% Yield Fund

Tokyo-based Laser Digital, the digital asset arm of Japanese banking giant Nomura, unveiled a new tokenized bitcoin yield fund on Wednesday, January 22. Designed for institutional investors, the BTC Diversified Yield Fund SP aims to generate income while providing long-term exposure to bitcoin (BTC).

The fund targets roughly 5% annual returns above any appreciation in bitcoin’s price through a strategy that blends long BTC positions with market-neutral approaches, including arbitrage, lending, and options-based trades. 

Laser Digital emphasized that yield targets are not guaranteed and depend on market conditions. Jez Mohideen, co-founder and CEO, said the product reflects the firm’s effort to bridge traditional finance with decentralized finance (DeFi) while addressing the evolving needs of professional bitcoin holders.

Institutional-Grade Digital Asset Infrastructure

The BTC Diversified Yield Fund SP evolves from Laser Digital’s 2023 Bitcoin Adoption Fund. Unlike its predecessor, this fund is natively tokenized and domiciled in the Cayman Islands, positioning it as the first bitcoin yield fund of its kind. 

Tokenization services are provided by KAIO, while custody and security are managed by Komainu, both specialists in institutional digital asset infrastructure.

Access is limited to accredited investors in approved jurisdictions, with a minimum subscription of $250,000. The firm says the fund’s structure meets operational, regulatory, and transparency expectations for professional investors seeking yield-generating crypto strategies.

Integration of DeFi Into Regulated Investments

The launch follows a regulatory milestone in October 2025, when Laser Digital received in-principle approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to tokenize an investment fund under its ARVA framework, specifically for the Laser Carry Fund. This approval highlights growing global acceptance of regulated, tokenized investment products.

Laser Digital currently manages approximately $250 million in assets across actively managed products, including the Laser Digital Carry Fund and a multi-strategy offering.

The new BTC Diversified Yield Fund adds a dedicated yield-oriented option to the firm’s suite, demonstrating how established financial institutions are increasingly integrating DeFi strategies into regulated investment frameworks.

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