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Bitcoin (BTC) has reached a historic milestone against the Japanese yen, surpassing its previous highs in the US dollar, Euro, British pound, and Australian dollar. This significant development highlights the weakening of the Japanese yen due to the Bank of Japan’s continued monetary easing and the resurgence of inflation. This situation contributes to the changing perception of the market towards fiat currencies.
Bitcoin’s Rise Against the Japanese Yen Hits 7.9 Million
The US dollar, Japanese yen, Euro, and other fiat currencies are not backed by a tangible asset and derive their value solely from market perceptions. Bitcoin’s ongoing rise reflects the current market sentiment, with the Japanese yen feeling the weakest among major fiat currencies due to factors such as the Bank of Japan’s liquidity tightening measures and rising inflation.
On Monday, the price of Bitcoin, often referred to as digital gold, reached a new record high of 7.9 million Japanese yen on the Tokyo-based cryptocurrency exchange bitFLYER. In contrast, according to data provided by TradingView, its price in US dollars remained above $52,000, approximately 32% below its all-time high of $69,000 in November 2021.
This price discrepancy is a result of the Bank of Japan’s decision to maintain zero interest rates and continue printing fiat money, exerting relative pressure on the Japanese yen. On the other hand, other central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, have raised interest rates to combat inflation and are continuing to maintain them at elevated levels without a decrease.
Decline in Japanese Yen Drives Investors to Assets Like Bitcoin and Gold
In 2023, Japan’s core inflation rate showed its highest increase since 1982, reaching 3.1%. This inflationary pressure erodes the purchasing power of the country’s fiat currency, the Japanese yen, driving investors towards alternative assets like Bitcoin and gold, which serve as stores of value.
The Japanese yen has depreciated by 13% and 7.5% against the dollar in recent years and has continued to lose value by an additional 6.4% this year. As long as the Bank of Japan does not step back from its ultra-loose monetary policy, Bitcoin is expected to continue trading at a premium in Japanese yen, making other assets more attractive against the yen.
Particularly, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore have clearer regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrency trading compared to other advanced markets. Along with the ongoing fluctuations in fiat currencies, this regulatory clarity is encouraging the growth of alternative assets like cryptocurrencies in these regions.
