Institutions Embrace Regulated Crypto as Wyden-Laser Network Expands Access

Wyden, a leading institutional digital asset trading platform, has integrated Laser Digital, the Nomura-backed digital asset firm, into its global liquidity network, marking a significant step in expanding access to regulated crypto markets. The partnership, announced in October 2025, enables Wyden's banking and brokerage clients to leverage Laser Digital's institutional-grade liquidity and credit risk solutions, according to a FinanceFeeds report. This move underscores a broader trend of institutional players seeking compliance-driven infrastructure as crypto markets mature under evolving global regulations.

Laser Digital, which recently became the first entity to secure a Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) license for crypto derivatives trading in Dubai, brings a critical layer of regulatory credibility to the collaboration. The integration allows Wyden clients—including banks, brokers, and OTC desks—to access Laser Digital's deep liquidity pools, enhancing price discovery and trade execution. Wyden's Smart Order Routing technology further optimizes real-time execution across multiple venues, reinforcing its position as a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets.

The partnership aligns with a surge in institutional adoption of crypto infrastructure, highlighted by recent developments across the industry. Citi, for instance, has partnered with Coinbase to build stablecoin payment capabilities for institutional clients, focusing on on- and off-ramps to convert digital assets into fiat currencies, as noted in an eMarketer report. Meanwhile, a16z's State of Crypto 2025 report notes that total crypto market capitalization surpassed $4 trillion in 2025, driven by stablecoin activity and institutional-grade products like ETFs. U.S. BTC and ETH ETFs now hold over $175 billion in combined assets, signaling a shift from speculative trading to regulated markets.

Regulatory clarity is a key driver of this transition. Dubai's VARA framework and Europe's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations are creating structured environments for institutional participation. CME Group's data further illustrates this trend: over 567,000 XRP futures contracts were created in five months, with open interest in Ether and Solana futures reaching 48,600 and 20,700 contracts, respectively, according to a CryptoFront News report. These figures reflect a migration of institutional activity from offshore platforms to regulated exchanges, where transparency and compliance are prioritized.

Wyden's CEO, Andy Flury, emphasized the strategic importance of the Laser Digital integration, stating it reinforces the firm's commitment to delivering "seamless access to the deepest pools of regulated global liquidity." Laser Digital's co-founder, Dr. Jez Mohideen, added that the partnership aligns with the firm's mission to connect legacy finance with blockchain-native systems, leveraging Nomura's regulatory expertise to ensure institutional-grade risk management.

As regional frameworks mature, infrastructure partnerships like Wyden–Laser are accelerating global institutional adoption. With Dubai and Europe emerging as hubs for regulated crypto activity, the integration positions both firms to serve a rapidly expanding client base. For institutions, the convergence of liquidity, compliance, and technology under a single network is reshaping digital asset trading into a cornerstone of modern finance.

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