Bitcoin rebounds on Japan rate hike as Arthur Hayes sees dollar at 200 yen

William Suberg 2 minutes ago Bitcoin rebounds on Japan rate hike as Arthur Hayes sees dollar at 200 yen Bitcoin headed higher despite the Bank of Japan's interest-rate hike while reactions saw bullish risk-asset signals and no further policy tightening. Listen 0:00 Market Update COINTELEGRAPH IN YOUR SOCIAL FEED Bitcoin ( BTC ) aimed for $88,000 on Friday after Japan’s central bank raised interest rates to 30-year highs. Key points: Bitcoin joins US stocks futures heading higher in a curiously bullish reaction to Japan’s interest-rate hike. Commentators argue that no further hikes will happen due to economic forces. Bitcoin continues to hammer out a bottom on longer timeframes. Arthur Hayes eyes BTC price, yen surge Data from Cointelegraph Markets and TradingView showed 2.5% BTC price gains versus the daily open. BTC/USD one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView In line with expectations, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) hiked rates to around 0.75% on the day, marking their highest levels in three decades and ending the country’s latest period of “cheap” money. Against a backdrop of global central-bank policy easing, Japan’s move stood out. While the hike was notionally a headwind for crypto and risk assets, reactions were optimistic. “Don’t fight the BOJ: -ve real rates is the explicit policy,” Arthur Hayes, former CEO of crypto exchange BitMEX, told X followers. “$JPY to 200, and $BTC to a milly.” Source: Bank of Japan Hayes was one of several commentators who saw the hike as ultimately bullish for asset holders. Continuing, the research project Temple 8 Research flagged an emerging standoff between market expectations and economic reality in Japan. “The market sees a hawkish pivot. We see a political ceiling,” it summarized in a blog post last week. Temple 8 predicted that rates would not rise again before 2027 to protect the yen and avoid increased interest payments on Japan’s latest $140 billion stimulus package . “You cannot floor the gas (Fiscal Stimulus) while slamming the brakes (Rate Hikes),” the post added. “If rates go to 1.5%, interest payments on this new debt explode.” USD/JPY one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView Bitcoin lacks “true capitulation event” Bitcoin thus joined US stocks futures heading higher ahead of Friday’s Wall Street open. Related: Bitcoin institutional buys flip new supply for the first time in 6 weeks At the time of writing, Nasdaq 100 futures were up 1.5%, while the S&P 500 sought a rebound after flat performance. Nasdaq 100 futures one-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView “With participation remaining strong some measures of investor sentiment shifting back to showing fear, that’s a positive backdrop to see a rally in the final weeks of the year,” trading resource Mosaic Asset Company forecast in a blog post Thursday. “While the S&P 500 is trading weak recently, the second half of December tends to be positive from a historical seasonal standpoint.” Equal weight S&P 500 chart. Source: Mosaic Asset Company At the same time, BTC/USD hit a low of $84,390 amid volatility following the surprise US inflation data . Traders remained highly cautious, with calls for further support retests commonplace on social media. Possible quick test of 80K underway. $BTCUSD pic.twitter.com/KGL61fKOwD — Aksel Kibar, CMT (@TechCharts) December 18, 2025 “Bitcoin is currently hammering out a bottom, but the process is far from over,” onchain analytics platform Checkonchain warned on the day. Checkonchain singled out $81,000, the cost basis for the US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as a key line in the sand. It added that the market was yet to witness a “true capitulation event.” This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information. This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information. # Bitcoin # Japan # Bitcoin Price # Markets # Predictions # Bank of Japan # Price Analysis Add reaction