Bank of Japan’s 1% Rate Hike Could be Critical for Bitcoin

The article argues that a Bank of Japan rate hike from 0.75% to 1.0% on June 15-16 could be a meaningful macro headwind for Bitcoin. It says prior BoJ hikes since 2024 were followed by Bitcoin drawdowns of roughly 23% to more than 30% within weeks, and warns that tighter Japanese policy could trigger a yen carry trade unwind. Such an unwind would likely reduce global liquidity and pressure risk assets, especially crypto. The article also highlights USD/JPY near the 160 level, a zone seen as a possible intervention trigger, and notes that the BoJ has raised inflation expectations while revising down growth forecasts. Overall, the piece frames the BoJ decision as a volatility event for Bitcoin and broader markets rather than a direct crypto-specific catalyst.