Laser Digital, the digital asset subsidiary of Nomura, has announced the appointment of Hideaki Kudo as a Representative Director and the head of Laser's newly established office in Tokyo.

A Decade of Contribution: Kudo's Role in Nomura's Success

Hideaki Kudo comes to this role with a wealth of experience, having previously served as an Executive Director at Nomura's Digital Company. In that capacity, he was responsible for shaping Nomura's digital asset strategy. He oversaw critical projects such as the development of security tokens for the Nomura Group and orchestrating the launch of the first real estate security token offering in Japan.

Before joining the Digital Company, Kudo held the position of Senior Portfolio Manager at Nomura Asset Management, contributing to the Nomura Group's success since 2007.

Hideaki Kudo himself shared his excitement about joining Laser Digital. He said: “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.”

Laser Digital's Pursuit of 24/7 Operational Excellence

Laser Digital, a venture, was launched last autumn by Nomura. It was co-founded by Steven Ashley and Jez Mohideen. Steven Ashley previously led Nomura's wholesale division. He expressed his enthusiasm for Hideaki Kudo's appointment.

Commenting on the appointment, Steve Ashley said: “To optimize 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. 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.”

Laser Digital, headquartered in Switzerland, combines the discipline capabilities of global investment banking with the expertise of a crypto-native team. This move to establish a presence in Japan underscores their commitment to expanding their reach and enhancing their services in the dynamic world of digital assets.