Decoding why Bitcoin remains quiet despite Fed’s first Yen warning in decade

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-01-25Last updated on 2026-01-25

Abstract

Bitcoin experienced a 6.5% decline this week but avoided a full sell-off, trading quietly while lagging behind other assets. The market's attention shifted to currency stress as the New York Federal Reserve expressed concern over the Japanese yen for the first time in over a decade, signaling potential intervention risks due to Japan's rising bond yields and weak currency. Bitcoin's recent price action has been more sensitive to timing than specific price levels, with volatility typically increasing around the 20th-21st of the month, while weekends remain quiet due to reduced trading activity. Despite dipping from the mid-$90K range to $88-$89K, selling pressure eased quickly. Technical indicators like RSI stayed neutral, and the Capital Movement Flow (CMF) remained slightly positive, indicating underlying support and capital retention. The market is now consolidating, awaiting potential triggers from broader currency movements, particularly regarding the yen.

Bitcoin is down around 6.5% this week, but the move hasn’t turned into a full-blown sell-off. Instead, BTC has been moving slowly, lagging behind other assets.

Currency stress is back in focus, with the New York Fed concerned about the Japanese yen for the first time in over a decade. That has shaken greater markets, and crypto isn’t immune.

Why the yen is back on the global radar

One of the most important macro bookmarks this week has come from the currency market.

The Japanese yen saw its most shocking one-day jump in months after reports that the New York Fed checked rates with major banks. That is widely regarded as a warning sign.

Source: X

For the first time in over a decade, U.S. policymakers appeared openly concerned about yen weakness.

Japan’s bond yields are rising while its currency continues to fall, so this matters. There’s growing stress in Japan’s economy, and it raises the risk of intervention.

Why timing matters more than price

Recent data showed that Bitcoin [BTC] wasn’t reacting to levels as much as it was to timing.

Volatility has consistently picked up between the 20th and 21st of January, when short-term moves tend to form. By contrast, weekend sessions (especially Saturdays) were quiet, with price moving in tight ranges.

Source: CryptoQuant

This showed who was active in the market. Big players tend to step in mid-week, while weekends lack fresh capital.

BTC falls, but it’s not so bad

Bitcoin spent the past week going lower, pulling back from the mid-$90K range toward the $88-$89K range. The move was quick at first, but selling pressure calmed quickly.

Source: TradingView

The RSI was at neutral levels. Meanwhile, CMF stayed slightly positive with capital staying despite the dip – the underlying support still holds. Bitcoin is consolidating while traders wait for a sign.


Final Thoughts

  • Bitcoin’s weekly dip came with no panic or capital flight.
  • Rising currency stress around the yen may act as the next trigger.
Next: LayerZero: Identifying if 57mln ZRO accumulation can stop 14% slide
Share
  • Share
  • Tweet

Related Questions

QWhy has Bitcoin's recent price decline not turned into a full-blown sell-off?

ABitcoin's decline of around 6.5% this week did not escalate into a major sell-off because selling pressure calmed quickly, and the move has been slow with BTC lagging behind other assets. Underlying support remains as capital stayed despite the dip, indicated by the slightly positive CMF.

QWhat event caused the Japanese yen to experience a significant one-day jump recently?

AThe Japanese yen saw its most shocking one-day jump in months after reports that the New York Fed checked rates with major banks, which is widely regarded as a warning sign about yen weakness.

QWhy is the timing of market activity more significant than price levels for Bitcoin currently?

ABitcoin has been reacting more to timing than price levels, with volatility consistently picking up between the 20th and 21st of January when short-term moves form, while weekends (especially Saturdays) remain quiet with tight price ranges.

QWhat does the New York Fed's concern about the yen weakness indicate for the first time in over a decade?

AIt indicates that U.S. policymakers are openly concerned about yen weakness for the first time in over a decade, highlighting growing stress in Japan's economy and raising the risk of intervention.

QWhat technical indicators suggest that Bitcoin's underlying support remains strong despite the price dip?

AThe RSI was at neutral levels and the CMF (Chaikin Money Flow) stayed slightly positive, showing that capital remained in the market despite the price dip, indicating underlying support is still holding.

Related Reads

Bitcoin's 'Rally Ends,' Officially Entering the Later Stage of a Bear Market?

Bitcoin prices declined 13% this week, reversing the recent rebound and signaling a likely transition into the later stages of a bear market. Key on-chain metrics deteriorated, with the short-term holder cost basis falling below the Realized Price—a pattern last seen in early 2022, characteristic of bear market maturity. The rally to ~$82k proved to be a bear market bounce, as evidenced by the 90-day realized profit/loss ratio failing to sustain above the bullish threshold of 2. Daily realized losses surged to $1.35B, including significant selling from long-term holders who accumulated near cycle tops, indicating ongoing supply redistribution. Price was rejected almost precisely at the aggregate US spot ETF cost basis of ~$83k, turning that level into resistance and leaving the average ETF investor underwater again. Spot market selling pressure intensified, with the 7-day volume delta turning significantly negative to its weakest level since February. While a major long liquidation event cleared over $400M in leverage, spot demand has not yet stepped in to absorb the resulting supply. Options markets continue pricing in higher future volatility (elevated volatility risk premium) and maintain a skew toward put options, reflecting persistent demand for downside protection, though not yet panic. Overall, market structure remains fragile. Sustained recovery likely requires a reclaim of the ETF cost basis, a shift back to positive spot demand, and a slowdown in realized loss-taking. Until then, the market risks further downside or extended consolidation within the broader bear trend.

Foresight News1h ago

Bitcoin's 'Rally Ends,' Officially Entering the Later Stage of a Bear Market?

Foresight News1h ago

How Risky is the "Death Spiral" of MSTR and STRC?

Summary: This article explores the perceived "death spiral" risk between MicroStrategy (MSTR), its Bitcoin holdings, and its perpetual preferred stock (STRC), drawing comparisons to the LUNA-UST collapse. While both systems feature price anchors, high yields for holders, and potential feedback loops, their core mechanisms differ fundamentally. The MSTR-STRC structure relies on continuous financing to sustain its high dividend payouts, primarily through stock ATM offerings. A negative feedback cycle could occur: falling MSTR stock price makes raising equity capital harder, increasing pressure to sell Bitcoin, which undermines STRC confidence and further depresses MSTR. However, unlike LUNA-UST's automated, direct linkage, the MSTR-STRC loop is weaker and has brakes: STRC dividends can be deferred or rates lowered, and STRC holders have a $100/share liquidation preference in bankruptcy, providing a price floor. The company's sustainability hinges on its ability to continue financing. Its current ~$900 million USD reserves cover only about 6.3 months of its ~$1.71 billion annual interest/dividend burden. The next six months are critical, aligning with both the potential bottom in Bitcoin's four-year cycle and the depletion timeline of its reserves. While a LUNA-style catastrophic collapse is deemed highly unlikely due to structural differences, the key question is whether MicroStrategy can navigate this period through healthy deleveraging to restart its capital engine.

Foresight News1h ago

How Risky is the "Death Spiral" of MSTR and STRC?

Foresight News1h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of S (S) are presented below.

活动图片