Laser Digital Opens Tokyo Office

Nomura’s digital asset subsidiary Laser Digital has opened a new office in Tokyo and appointed Hideaki Kudo as representative director and head of the office.

Prior to his appointment and the launch of this new unit, Kudo was an executive director at Nomura’s Digital Company, responsible for its digital asset strategy, including projects such as the development of security tokens for Nomura Group and launching first real estate security token offering in Japan. Prior to the Digital Company, he was a senior portfolio manager at Nomura Asset Management and has been with the Nomura Group since 2007.

“To optimise support of our trading business we wanted to have 24/7 operational management, so for coverage in the far east Japan was obviously our top choice,” explains Steve Ashley, co-founder of Laser Digital. “Kudo-san’s experience at the Digital Company will be invaluable to Laser Digital’s development and growth, we are thrilled to welcome him to our team.”

Kudo adds, “It’s exciting to join Laser as they expand operations to Japan. Since 2019 I have been managing Nomura’s advancements into the digital asset space and I am delighted to now join the Laser team on their journey.”