Bitcoin tops $77K as Bank of Japan raises benchmark rate to 1.25%
Bitcoin rose above $77,400 after the Bank of Japan hiked its policy rate 25 basis points to 1.25% on a 7-2 vote.
Why it matters
A higher Japanese policy rate reduces the return advantage of borrowing yen to fund purchases of other assets, including crypto, and CryptoSlate said further yen appreciation could pressure leveraged risk positions once the new rate takes effect Sept. 24.
Key facts
Bitcoin traded above $77,400 on Sept. 18 after the BOJ rate hike.
77,400 USDReported by Crypto.News
The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 1.25%.
1.25 %Reported by Crypto.News
The BOJ Policy Board approved the increase by a 7-2 vote.
Reported by Crypto.News
CoinGecko showed Bitcoin near $77,409.41, up 1.4% over 24 hours.
77,409.41 USDReported by Crypto.News
Bitcoin traded between $75,971.64 and $77,623.53 during the period.
Reported by Crypto.News
The yen weakened following the BOJ's rate decision.
Reported by Crypto.News
The new 1.25% rate target and related facility rates take effect Sept. 24.
Reported by CryptoSlate
What happened
Bitcoin traded above $77,400 on Sept. 18 after the Bank of Japan's Policy Board voted 7-2 to raise its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to about 1.25%, its second hike since June, according to Crypto.News and CryptoSlate. CoinGecko data cited by Crypto.News showed Bitcoin near $77,409, up 1.4% over 24 hours, with a daily range between $75,971.64 and $77,623.53, and noted U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs drew $159.5 million on Sept. 17, led by BlackRock's IBIT fund. The yen weakened after the decision, which Crypto.News and CryptoSlate both said ran counter to the pattern typically expected from a yen-carry-trade unwind. CryptoSlate noted the new rate target and related facility rates do not take effect until Sept. 24, and said the BOJ tied further increases to its economic and inflation outlook rather than a fixed timetable. Reuters, as cited by Crypto.News, reported the BOJ retained guidance that rates could rise further if economic activity and prices develop as projected. CryptoSlate said the visible market reaction so far showed limited signs of a disorderly carry-trade unwind, while cautioning that a sharp yen appreciation alongside falling risk assets would be a stronger warning sign.
How the story developed
- First report
First report by Crypto.News
Bitcoin price tops $77K after BOJ lifts rates to 1.25%
- Official statement
BOJ raises benchmark rate to 1.25%
Policy Board voted 7-2 to lift the rate by 25 basis points, its second hike since June.
- Update
Bitcoin tops $77,400 following the decision
CoinGecko showed Bitcoin near $77,409, up 1.4% over 24 hours, after an overnight decline toward $76,200.
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by CryptoSlate
Bitcoin rallies after BOJ’s 1.25% hike, but the real yen-carry test starts next week
- Update
CryptoSlate assesses yen-carry unwind risk
CryptoSlate said the new rate takes effect Sept. 24 and that visible market reaction showed limited signs of a disorderly carry-trade unwind so far.
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 18 Sept 2026, 06:34 UTC: Crypto.News — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 18 Sept 2026, 20:30 UTC: CryptoSlate — 2 independent sources, 2 reports
Affected entities
Also mentioned: Robinhood, BlackRock
Original sources
| Publisher | Report | Role | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto.News Crypto media | Bitcoin price tops $77K after BOJ lifts rates to 1.25% | Original | |
| CryptoSlate Crypto media | Bitcoin rallies after BOJ’s 1.25% hike, but the real yen-carry test starts next week | Independent | |
| Crypto.News Crypto media | Bitcoin price rebound faces major test at $83K | Independent | |
| Crypto News (CryptoNews.net) Aggregator | Bitcoin price rebound faces major test at $83K | Syndicated |
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