Nomura Takes Stake in Crypto Garage, Plans Joint Digital Asset Custody

Nomura Holdings has invested in Crypto Garage, a Tokyo-based blockchain firm, and signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a joint digital asset custody service. The announcement, originally made in October 2021, signals the Japanese bank’s early commitment to institutional-grade custody infrastructure in the domestic market.

The move positions Nomura to offer segregated storage for digital assets, a requirement under Japan’s revised Payment Services Act and Financial Instruments and Exchange Act frameworks that mandate licensed custodians for certain token classes. With Crypto Garage’s technical capability and Nomura’s regulatory footprint, the partnership targets both domestic institutions and offshore clients seeking a Japan-domiciled custody option.

Three and a half years on, the original MOU remains a relevant blueprint for how incumbents structure custody ventures: equity participation coupled with a non-binding framework to share development cost and regulatory burden. Whether the service has launched under Nomura’s licence or remains in pilot has not been disclosed, but the investment itself underscores the bank’s long-term view on tokenised securities and crypto-asset servicing in Asia.