The greenback just hit a fresh 12-month peak, with USD/JPY climbing to 158.25. That's a pretty significant move if you're tracking forex dynamics.

For crypto traders, this matters. A stronger dollar typically pressures altcoins priced in USD, while also affecting cross-border capital flows into digital assets. When the yen weakens like this, Japanese investors often shift their allocation strategies—and some of that capital flows into the crypto space.

Keep an eye on this pair. Major currency shifts like this can foreshadow broader market moves in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major holdings. The carry trade dynamics between USD and JPY have always been a proxy for risk appetite in markets generally.