Woofun AI reports that Japanese financial regulators have approved Laser Digital Japan for registration as an encrypted asset trading service provider, marking the first new license issuance in nearly four years. Backed by Nomura Holdings, the firm will initially offer liquidity services to local virtual asset providers, with future plans to introduce trading services for institutional investors, though specific timelines remain undisclosed. Co-founder and CEO Jez Mohideen stated that the market requires reliable infrastructure as institutional interest grows, noting that a prior survey indicated 79% of respondents intend to invest in encrypted assets within three years. This approval aligns with ongoing regulatory reforms, including the reclassification of cryptocurrencies as financial assets and anticipated new regulations effective in 2027.