Why Japanese Yen Strengthens Sharply Against US Dollar (USD), Shocks Crypto & Stocks

Japanese yen made a surprising recovery against the US dollar on Monday, bouncing back from a low of 160 hit earlier in the day – its weakest level since October 1986. The yen’s sudden reversal came after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept interest rates unchanged, contrary to market expectations.


I observed that the Japanese yen (JPY) experienced a significant rebound against the US dollar following its descent to a 35-year low of 160 on Monday. Prior to this, JPY had dropped down to 156 against the US dollar. The shift in the currency pair’s dynamics can be attributed to the US dollar starting to weaken after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) decided against raising interest rates, going against market and economic expert predictions.

As a researcher investigating recent currency market trends, I’ve noticed an unexpected surge in the value of the Japanese Yen (JPY). This recovery raised suspicions among traders due to reported aggressive selling of US dollars by Japanese banks. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced during their latest monetary policy meeting that they would continue purchasing bonds as usual to support economic growth, but revised their inflation forecasts upward. With the yen sinking to 34-year lows and losing over 10% against the US dollar this year, many traders have kept a watchful eye for any potential interventions from Japanese authorities.

As a researcher studying economic news, I came across an intriguing statement from Masato Kanda, Japan’s foremost currency diplomat, during a recent interview with Reuters. When questioned about speculation regarding Japan’s involvement in the currency market, Kanda replied, “I choose not to comment on that matter at this moment.”

A renowned analyst specializing in international capital markets, The Kobeissi Letter, announced on X that a sudden 2.5% shift in value for one of the most influential currencies within minutes is a significant development capable of altering the global financial landscape. “It’s clear that something substantial is unfolding,” the analysis stated, “This occurrence takes place shortly after the Bank of Japan decided to keep interest rates unchanged.”

Why Japanese Yen Strengthens Sharply Against US Dollar (USD), Shocks Crypto & Stocks

The decline in the US dollar value led to a rebound in US stock markets. The US Dollar Index (DXY) fell to 105.46, and US Treasury yields followed suit with a decrease. Pre-market indicators for the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all showed gains. Asian stock markets experienced growth on Monday as investors disregarded the high PCE inflation data and focused instead on the upcoming US Federal Reserve monetary policy decision scheduled for May 1.

Crypto Market Reactions

In simpler terms, the decline in the DXY index was met with optimism in the cryptocurrency sphere, as it might boost investor confidence and contribute to market rebound. Additionally, the US Treasury Department’s upcoming Q2 2024 refunding announcement is anticipated to inject around $1.4 trillion into the financial markets, which could benefit riskier assets like cryptocurrencies.

$JPY ‘bout to Bart

— Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) April 29, 2024

In simpler terms, the cryptocurrency market is facing continued stress due to traders reacting to news about upcoming crypto sell-offs before the Federal Reserve announces its monetary policy. On Monday, the erasure of recent gains in the crypto market became apparent as long positions were liquidated.

Bitcoin and Ethereum have witnessed substantial long position liquidations recently, according to Coinglass’ data. The derivatives market presents a blend of bullish and bearish indicators.

I’m currently observing the crypto market and noticed that Bitcoin is being traded at a price of $62,241, while Ethereum is exchanging hands at $3,180. Unfortunately, both cryptocurrencies have experienced a decline in value over the past 24 hours.

Why Japanese Yen Strengthens Sharply Against US Dollar (USD), Shocks Crypto & Stocks

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2024-04-29 10:31