Bitcoin Breaks Above $81,000 After Bank of Japan Rate Hike

According to Arzdigital, the Bank of Japan raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 1.25 percent on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in a 7 to 2 vote, with the change taking formal effect on September 24. Bitcoin, trading around $76,961 before the announcement, turned sharply higher in the minutes that followed and broke above $81,000, as the yen weakened 1.2 percent against the dollar to 157.84. Sahmino's own price feed recorded Bitcoin at $81,129, up 0.13 percent on the day, as of 11:29 today. Analysts point to the yen carry trade, warning that the rate hike's formal implementation on September 24 could strengthen the yen further and increase selling pressure on risk assets including cryptocurrencies.