BTC climbed as Japan raised rates to a 30-year high, with derivatives data showing leveraged longs driving the move despite broader weakness in altcoins.
Bitcoin rose from $85,200 to $88,000 within five hours after the Bank of Japan lifted interest rates to the highest level in three decades. Contrary to expectations that the hike might trigger a risk-off shift into the yen, the currency weakened as Nasdaq 100 futures gained. Derivatives data showed open interest rising faster than price and funding rates turning positive to 0.085%, the highest since November 21, signaling increased leveraged long positions. Altcoins lagged, with SOL and XRP open interest falling and the 'altcoin season' indicator dropping to 14/100. ETH outperformed BTC, gaining 1.5% against it in morning trading. Broader market sentiment improved as Oracle shares rose on a TikTok data security deal, helping lift AI-linked stocks alongside bitcoin gains.