Bank of Japan maintains interest rates! Bitcoin stays steady at 90,000, and 2.3 billion in crypto market options expire

Bank of Japan on January 23 maintained interest rates at 0.75% with an 8-1 vote, marking the first decrease in inflation in four months. However, the central bank hinted at possible further rate hikes this year. Bitcoin remains steady around $89,800 to avoid a sell-off, with $23 billion worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum options expiring today. Japan’s 40-year bond yield fell to 3.939%, and the yen strengthened to 158.54.

Bank of Japan Maintains 0.75% Rate as Expected

On January 23, the Bank of Japan kept interest rates unchanged at 0.75% with an 8-1 vote, consistent with economists’ forecasts, prompting reactions in the cryptocurrency market. Bloomberg reports that ahead of next month’s early general election, the BOJ will keep borrowing costs at the highest level in 30 years. On Friday, the BOJ maintained its benchmark rate, showing signs of market stability in cryptocurrencies.

This decision was expected by the market, but the underlying considerations merit deeper analysis. Since ending its negative interest rate policy in 2024, the BOJ has raised rates multiple times, from -0.1% to the current 0.75%. This marks a historic shift in Japan’s monetary policy, signaling the end of the ultra-loose era. However, the 0.75% rate remains extremely low globally, with the Federal Reserve’s federal funds rate currently between 5.25% and 5.50%, and the European Central Bank’s rates above 4%.

The 8-1 vote indicates a high consensus within the BOJ on the current policy path. The sole dissenting vote likely came from hawkish members believing rates should continue to rise, but most members see maintaining the current rate as the best balance between economic growth and inflation control. Such policy stability is crucial for financial markets, as sudden shifts often trigger volatility.

Meanwhile, the board raised the FY2026 GDP growth forecast from 0.7% to 1%, citing recent trade agreements and large-scale stimulus plans as support. The upward revision suggests the BOJ is optimistic about economic prospects, providing a rationale for maintaining the current rate. If growth accelerates, inflationary pressures may ease naturally, reducing the need for aggressive rate hikes to curb demand.

However, the BOJ maintained its hawkish inflation outlook, indicating possible further rate hikes this year. This stance offers forward guidance, implying that while the current meeting was on hold, future rate increases are not off the table. The “pause but keep the option open” approach introduces uncertainty about the BOJ’s policy trajectory.

Inflation First Decline in Four Months, Yen Slightly Strengthens

(Source: CNBC)

Additionally, due to government subsidies, inflation has fallen for the first time in four months. This is the most significant reason behind the BOJ’s decision to keep rates steady. The decline in inflation reduces the urgency for aggressive rate hikes, allowing the BOJ to adopt a more cautious and gradual monetary policy approach. Government subsidies have played a key role in curbing inflation, especially in energy and food prices.

As of press time, the yen appreciated slightly to 158.54 against the dollar, after a sustained weakening earlier this year. Yen’s weakness remains a major theme in the 2025 global forex market, primarily driven by widening interest rate differentials between Japan and the US. With the Fed maintaining high rates and the BOJ’s rates remaining near zero, arbitrage traders borrow low-interest yen to invest in higher-yield dollar assets, continuing to pressure the yen lower.

The slight strengthening of the yen suggests market expectations for future BOJ rate hikes have increased somewhat. Although the current meeting kept rates unchanged, hawkish inflation outlooks and hints of possible hikes have prompted some traders to adjust positions, reducing yen short exposure. If the BOJ hikes rates in the coming months, the narrowing of the yen-US interest rate gap could trigger large-scale unwinding of yen carry trades, potentially impacting global risk assets including cryptocurrencies.

With rates unchanged and inflation cooling, Japan’s long-term government bond yields declined. The 40-year Japanese government bond yield fell by 0.055 to 3.939%. The decline in bond yields reflects market expectations of a slowdown in aggressive BOJ rate hikes; as expectations of hikes diminish, long-term bonds become more attractive, increasing demand and lowering yields.

Bitcoin Holds Steady at $90,000 to Avoid Sharp Sell-Off

Following the BOJ’s decision to keep rates steady, the cryptocurrency market stabilized, providing some relief for risk assets like Bitcoin. Earlier, US October and November personal consumption expenditure (PCE) inflation data showed persistent inflation pressures, which had previously driven crypto prices lower.

Bitcoin and major altcoins showed mixed movements, avoiding sharp sell-offs that could have resulted from hawkish inflation expectations and the yen’s slight strengthening against the dollar. As of press time, Bitcoin fluctuated around $89,800. The 24-hour low and high were $88,438 and $90,220, respectively. Additionally, trading volume dropped nearly 35% in the past 24 hours as traders reacted to the upcoming expiration of options contracts later today, which can lead to reduced activity.

Bitcoin’s near $90,000 level, along with rising gold prices, reflects mixed market sentiment. The $90,000 mark is a key psychological and technical support level; holding above it would keep the bullish structure intact. Conversely, a break below could trigger technical selling, testing lower support levels such as $85,000 or even $80,000.

The 35% drop in trading volume indicates a cautious market stance. Before major macro events like the BOJ decision and large options expiries, professional traders often reduce positions or pause trading, waiting for uncertainty to clear. While this cautious approach lowers market activity, it also reduces the risk of sharp volatility.

$23 Billion Crypto Options Expiring, Triggering Volatility

With $23 billion worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum options expiring today, the crypto market may remain volatile. Data from CoinGlass shows a sell-off in derivatives markets. Over the past 24 hours, open interest in Bitcoin futures decreased by nearly 1.50%, to $59.43 billion.

Options expiry dates are often times of increased volatility in crypto markets. The $23 billion notional value implies a large number of positions needing to be closed or rolled over before expiry, which can significantly impact spot prices. Additionally, market makers adjust hedging positions ahead of expiry, and mechanical buying and selling can amplify volatility.

The open interest decline of 1.50% to $59.43 billion reflects reduced market leverage. This can be interpreted in two ways: negatively, as a sign of decreased market participation and investor confidence; positively, as lower leverage reduces chain liquidations, making markets more stable amid volatility.

US PCE inflation remains high, representing another macro risk for crypto markets. PCE is the Fed’s preferred inflation indicator; if it remains elevated, it could delay rate cuts or even prompt discussions of rate hikes, adding macro uncertainty that weighs on risk assets including cryptocurrencies.