Bitcoin Holds Steady as Japan Stocks Drop on Possible BOJ Rate Hike Ending Era of Loose Policy

• Bitcoin traded slightly higher in Asia as Japan’s Nikkei index fell over 2% on talks of potential Bank of Japan rate hike • Bank of Japan could lift benchmark rate above 0% this month, ending years of negative rates and bond buying
• BOJ policy shift adds uncertainty to crypto and global markets amid bets on end of ultra-loose monetary policy • Yen surged 2% against dollar ahead of expected tightening, threatening carry trades funding assets like tech stocks • Crypto analysts still expect any bitcoin dip to be temporary, predict prices could rally to $100K+ in coming months