Loader
logologo
Alpha Zone
Analysts
My Reading List
Log in
DeFiGaming & MetaverseInfrastructureMarketsNFTs
QCP Asia Colour
QCP Capital
main

A fresh wave of volatility is gripping Japanese fixed income markets as 30-year Japanese Government Bond (JGB) yields surge past 3%, breaching historic levels and unsettling global investors.

Japan’s ballooning debt situation has long been a simmering concern, but it is now reaching a boiling point. With a debt-to-GDP ratio of 234%, the highest among developed economies, the fiscal strain is drawing renewed scrutiny. Comments from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba have catalyzed global focus, even as Japan’s debt metrics have quietly deteriorated over the past decade. Weak demand for long-dated JGBs, combined with structural concerns, has sent long-end yields sharply higher.

Traditionally, USDJPY has been more sensitive to short-term rate differentials than long-end yield dynamics. However, if this bond selloff persists and fiscal concerns deepen, we could see short-term appreciation in the yen as capital reconsiders Japan risk.

The tremors in JGBs are spilling over into global markets. US 30Y UST yields have pushed back above 5%, as investors draw parallels to America’s own debt trajectory. Trump’s latest “big and beautiful bill,” a 3.8 trillion dollar fiscal package, has been blocked, but the signal remains clear. Fiscal policy is back in the spotlight, and not in a good way.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin attempted a break above $108k today but lacked the momentum to sustain the move. Price action appears closely tied to treasury accumulation by Strategy and Metaplanet, who remain the headline buyers at current levels. There is growing concern that these entities may represent the last of the marginal bid, particularly with BTC hovering near ATHs. A slowdown in their buying could trigger profit taking from other market participants and potentially reverse the prevailing uptrend.

Despite relentless macro headwinds including surging bond yields, tariff escalations and mounting stagflation risks in the US for Q3 and Q4, BTC has demonstrated remarkable resilience over the past month. That said, a breakout to new highs could ignite a fresh wave of FOMO, dragging in sidelined retail capital and pushing prices even higher.

You might also like
Article cover
Weekly Market Positioning Update – [w/c May 19th]
Alpha
Disclosure: The authors of this content and members of Nansen may be participating or invested in some of the protocols or tokens mentioned herein. The foregoing statement acts as a disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and is not a recommendation to purchase or invest in any token or participate in any protocol. Nansen does not recommend any particular course of action in relation to any token or protocol. The content herein is meant purely for educational and informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial, investment, legal, tax or any other professional or other advice. None of the content and information herein is presented to induce or to attempt to induce any reader or other person to buy, sell or hold any token or participate in any protocol or enter into, or offer to enter into, any agreement for or with a view to buying or selling any token or participating in any protocol. Statements made herein (including statements of opinion, if any) are wholly generic and not tailored to take into account the personal needs and unique circumstances of any reader or any other person. Readers are strongly urged to exercise caution and have regard to their own personal needs and circumstances before making any decision to buy or sell any token or participate in any protocol. Observations and views expressed herein may be changed by Nansen at any time without notice. Nansen accepts no liability whatsoever for any losses or liabilities arising from the use of or reliance on any of this content.