Market sources indicate the Bank of Japan is signaling a possible extension of its interest rate hike cycle, with risks skewed toward tightening beyond the 0.75% threshold. Officials have not yet identified the exact level of the neutral interest rate, and the central bank still characterizes the neutral range as broad. For crypto markets, the prospect of a drawn-out tightening path reinforces the divergence among global monetary policymakers and could influence liquidity conditions and risk sentiment. Traders will watch for updates on policy guidance, as any sustained shift in yields and carry trades may spill into digital-asset funding dynamics. While the BOJ remains cautious, the evolving stance emphasizes gradual normalization rather than abrupt shifts, with the policy trajectory continuing to shape monetary policy signals and risk assets.