Satsuki Katayama

The yen’s rally has pushed USD/JPY toward 153.61, with traders weighing US inflation, Bank of Japan rate expectations and the risk of renewed official intervention. Rising Japanese yields and possible institutional repatriation are adding a deeper structural layer to yen demand.

Bitcoin stayed close to $66,300, consolidating a two-week high as trading volumes remained firm and major token moves stayed relatively contained. The move comes as global semiconductor shares extend their rally while the Japanese yen weakens past 163 per dollar for the first time since 1986.

Japan’s effort to direct more pension money into domestic assets is sharpening attention on bitcoin and gold as potential stores of value. The move may support the long-term case for limited-supply assets, even as it raises near-term risk concerns across global markets.