Laser Digital Cuts Crypto Positions After Q3 Losses Amid Extreme Fear Market

VADODARA, February 2, 2026 — Laser Digital, the Nomura-backed cryptocurrency trading firm, reduced its crypto exposure following investment losses in Q3 2025. This daily crypto analysis reveals a classic institutional de-leveraging pattern amid extreme fear sentiment. According to DL News, the firm maintains Nomura's commitment to crypto expansion long-term.

Investigation: Institutional De-leveraging Event

Laser Digital executed a strategic reduction in crypto positions after recording third-quarter losses last year. The firm operates Nomura's cryptocurrency trading business. Market structure suggests this move represents a liquidity grab during a period of compressed volatility. On-chain data indicates similar behavior from other institutional players recently.

Consequently, this creates a Fair Value Gap (FVG) in the market microstructure. The firm explicitly stated Nomura's commitment remains unchanged. They plan medium-to-long-term expansion of crypto operations. This creates a contradictory signal between short-term risk management and long-term conviction.

Market Context & Historical Precedent

Historically, similar institutional de-leveraging occurred during the 2021 correction. Major trading firms reduced exposure when Bitcoin tested its 200-day moving average. In contrast, the current environment features more mature derivative markets and ETF participation. Underlying this trend is a broader institutional recalibration.

Market analysts observe parallel developments in other sectors. For instance, LD Capital's recent $70 million ETH liquidation shows similar de-leveraging patterns. , BlackRock's IBIT ETF seeing negative average returns reflects retail capitulation. These events collectively pressure liquidity.

Technical Architecture & Price Action

Bitcoin currently trades at $77,189, down 1.48% in 24 hours. The critical weekly support sits at the $75,000 Fibonacci 0.618 retracement level from the 2024-2025 rally. This level represents a major Order Block where institutional accumulation historically occurs. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on daily charts shows oversold conditions at 28.

Market structure suggests a potential bear trap if this support holds. The 50-day moving average at $82,500 acts as dynamic resistance. Volume Profile analysis reveals high-volume nodes between $74,000 and $76,000, indicating strong buyer interest. A break below this zone would invalidate the current bullish structure.

By The Numbers

Why It Matters

This matters because institutional de-leveraging creates cascading liquidations. It tests market resilience during extreme fear periods. According to Ethereum.org documentation on network security, large position changes impact liquidity pools and slippage. The Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions also influence institutional risk appetite.

Real-world evidence shows similar patterns in traditional markets during quantitative tightening cycles. Institutional liquidity cycles typically last 3-6 months. Retail market structure often mirrors these moves with a 2-3 week lag. The current environment suggests a potential Gamma Squeeze setup if volatility expands.

Expert Commentary

"When major trading firms reduce exposure, it creates temporary liquidity vacuums. This often marks intermediate-term bottoms rather than trend reversals. The key is whether support levels hold during this de-leveraging phase." — CoinMarketBuzz Intelligence Desk

Market Outlook & Price Scenarios

Market structure suggests two primary scenarios based on current data. The 12-month institutional outlook remains positive despite short-term adjustments. Historical cycles indicate such de-leveraging events precede strong rallies when fear peaks.

• Bullish Invalidation Level: $82,500 (50-day moving average). A sustained break above this resistance confirms trend reversal and institutional re-accumulation.
• Bearish Invalidation Level: $74,000 (Volume Profile low). A weekly close below this support invalidates the current structure and targets $70,000.

The 5-year horizon suggests this represents a healthy correction within a broader bull market. Institutional expansion plans indicate long-term conviction outweighs short-term volatility. Similar to the 2018-2019 accumulation phase, this period may create optimal entry points.