Cayman Islands – Laser Digital Asset Management, a subsidiary of financial giant Nomura, has announced the launch of its Bitcoin Adoption Fund, marking a significant move into the world of digital asset investments. The fund, introduced on Tuesday, is designed to offer institutional investors a secure and cost-effective means of gaining long-only exposure to Bitcoin. This milestone offering represents the inaugural entry in a series of digital adoption investment solutions that Laser Digital Asset Management intends to bring to market.
Operating under the umbrella of Laser Digital Funds SPC, a Segregated Portfolio Company registered as a mutual fund pursuant to section 4(3) of the Mutual Funds Act with the Cayman Islands Regulatory Authority (CIMA), the Bitcoin Adoption Fund is poised to meet the ever-growing demand from institutional investors for exposure to the leading cryptocurrency. To ensure the utmost security of the fund’s assets, Laser will partner with Komainu, a regulated custody solution tailored to institutional digital asset investors. Komainu was founded in 2018 through a collaboration between Nomura, Ledger, and Coinshares.
Laser Digital Asset Management is helmed by Sebastien Guglietta, who formerly served as Nomura’s Chief Scientist Officer and held key roles as Portfolio Manager and Senior Scientist at Brevan Howard. Joining him is Fiona King, a former Managing Director and Global Head of Institutional Business at Nickel Digital Asset Management, who was also responsible for Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s (NYSE:BAC) UCITS alternative platform. She now heads the distribution arm of Laser.
Reflecting on the fund’s launch, Guglietta underscored his conviction in technology as a potent driver of global economic growth, stating, “Bitcoin is one of the enablers of this long-lasting transformational change, and long-term exposure to Bitcoin offers a solution to investors to capture this macro trend.” King emphasized that the new fund provides institutional investors with a secure avenue into digital asset investment, backed by established financial expertise, comprehensive risk management, and strict compliance standards.
Laser Digital was co-founded by Steven Ashley, the former leader of Nomura’s wholesale division, and Jez Mohideen, who previously served as Nomura’s Chief Digital Officer and Co-Head of Global Markets EMEA. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company blends the rigor and best practices of global investment banking with the expertise of a team deeply entrenched in the world of cryptocurrencies.
The launch of the Bitcoin Adoption Fund represents a pivotal step for Laser Digital Asset Management and underscores the growing importance of cryptocurrencies in the institutional investment landscape. As the digital asset market continues to evolve, Laser is well-positioned to meet the demands of institutional investors seeking exposure to this transformative asset class.