Real-time markets: Strong yen and broken Iranian ceasefire, Bitcoin fell under pressure

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Corporate Bitcoin is regaining a new life

Corporate Bitcoin is regaining a new life, and Japanese companies are beginning to re-examine how to protect their financial reserves. With the yen near its lowest point in nearly 40 years, companies are putting Bitcoin and XRP on their balance sheets rather than relying solely on cash. The change reflects a growing consensus that digital assets can help companies cope with long-term monetary weakness.

Sources said that as the yen continues to depreciate against the US dollar, corporate demand for Bitcoin and XRP continues to rise. The report cited data from SBI VC Trade and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as pointing out that companies are diversifying their reserve assets, while hedge funds have established the largest short yen position since 2007. Together, these trends are changing the way Japanese companies manage their finances.

The rise of corporate bitcoin as a financial strategy

The rise of corporate bitcoin signals that digital assets are becoming a practical financial management tool rather than speculative investments. Companies no longer hold excess cash with declining purchasing power and are exploring Bitcoin and XRP as alternative reserve assets.

Many companies are not simply pursuing higher returns, but by holding Bitcoin and XRP to reduce their exposure to the rapidly devaluing yen. SBI VC Trade reported that its registered accounts have exceeded 2 million, almost doubling since 2025. The exchange also said that as more and more companies use Bitcoin and XRP for financial management, demand for its enterprise-specific services continues to grow.

Although Bitcoin remains the asset of choice for corporate financial reserves, XRP has also attracted increasing corporate attention, especially through shareholder benefit plans, which replace traditional gifts with digital assets to reward investors.

How a weak yen changes corporate decision-making

The weak yen has become one of the major financial challenges facing Japanese companies. Recently, the exchange rate of the yen against the US dollar has hovered around 162, setting a new low in nearly 40 years. As the purchasing power of cash reserves continues to decline, companies are facing greater pressure and need to maintain and increase value through diversified assets.

The widening interest rate spread between the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan has exacerbated the yen\'s depreciation. Higher interest rates in the United States continue to attract global capital, while Japan\'s relatively loose monetary policy has weakened yen demand. As a result, many companies are finding it less attractive to hold large amounts of yen cash.

CFTC data also confirms this trend-as of June 30, hedge funds held nearly 138,000 net short contracts in the yen, the largest short position since 2007.

Regulate crypto markets to benefit from carry trading

The weak yen also strengthens yen spread trading-investors borrow yen at low interest rates and invest in higher-yielding assets. As investors borrow cheap yen in pursuit of higher returns, some of the money is increasingly flowing into Japan\'s regulated crypto market rather than offshore platforms, increasing institutional participation in Bitcoin and XRP.

This trend highlights the growing confidence in Japan\'s regulated digital asset ecosystem. At the same time, it also reflects a broader shift in companies that are getting accustomed to using licensed domestic exchanges for financial management.

According to reliable data, the transaction price of Bitcoin during the reporting period was approximately US$62,650, up 6.1% from the previous week. The strong weekly performance suggests that institutional sentiment is improving as Japanese corporate demand continues to increase.

The report came as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that one-year U.S. inflation expectations rose to 3.7%, the highest level since September 2023. Rising inflation expectations tend to increase interest in stores of value such as gold and Bitcoin, further strengthening the corporate Bitcoin narrative.

Conclusion

The rapid rise of Japanese company Bitcoin not only reflects short-term market trends. A prolonged period of weak yen, growing institutional demand, the expansion of regulated crypto services and the evolution of financial management strategies are pushing companies to re-examine how to protect corporate wealth.

Although Bitcoin and XRP are still highly volatile assets, their increasingly prominent role on corporate balance sheets suggests that digital assets have become a non-negligible option in financial management. If currency devaluation pressure continues, Japan\'s experience may serve as a reference model for companies in other economies facing similar financial challenges.