Breaking: BOJ Hikes Interest Rates to 0.75%, the Highest in 30 Years

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates by 0.25%, taking the benchmark rate to 0.75%, the highest in nearly 30 years. The central bank also signaled that more rate hikes could come in the future if the economy remains strong.

This tighter policy has raised concerns among macro analysts, who warn that Bitcoin could come under pressure and potentially fall below $63,000.

Bank of Japan Raises Rates to 0.75%

On December 19, BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said the policy board unanimously raised interest rates by 0.25% to 0.75%, citing stronger confidence in Japan’s economic outlook.

For years, Japan’s very low rates supported the yen carry trade, where investors borrowed cheap yen to invest in higher-return assets. Higher rates weaken this strategy, reducing the flow of money into risk assets like stocks and cryptocurrencies.

Following the announcement, the yen briefly fell 0.4% to 156.16 against the dollar before stabilizing. According to Takayasu Kudo, senior Japan economist at BofA Securities Japan, the yen weakened because the BOJ did not deliver a more hawkish outlook than expected. 

BOJ’s More Rate Cuts Coming 

Ueda also made it clear that rate hikes are not over. He said the BOJ will continue raising borrowing costs if the economy stays on track. Markets now expect two more rate hikes in 2026 and another in 2027, which could push rates toward 1.5%.

At the same time, Japanese bond yields rose sharply. The 10-year government bond yield crossed 2% for the first time since 2006, showing tighter financial conditions. 

Japanese stocks stayed mostly steady, with the Nikkei 225 holding onto most of its earlier gains.

Bitcoin Could Drop Toward $63K

Bitcoin is showing weakness around the Bank of Japan’s rate decision, as higher interest rates often pull money away from risky assets like crypto. 

In the past, similar BOJ tightening moves have led Bitcoin to move sideways or fall nearly 20 to 30% in the weeks

Because of this pattern, macro analysts now warn that Bitcoin could stay under pressure. If Bitcoin falls from around $86,000, prices could slip below $63,000.