Japanese yen improves against the dollar thanks to intervention talks, says Societe Generale

    by VT Markets
    /
    Jan 26, 2026
    The Japanese Yen has strengthened due to talks between the US and Japan about coordinated intervention. This has led to a drop in the USD/JPY exchange rate, sparking interest in what comes next. People are wondering if this shift signals a big change in currency values, especially with potential changes in bond spreads. There are mentions of a “Plaza-like Mar-a-Lago accord,” which aims to adjust currency values.

    Record Highs in Silver and Gold

    In the broader market, silver has reached record highs above $110 due to rising demand amid economic uncertainties. Growth forecasts for the US economy have been upgraded, impacting many financial markets. Gold has surpassed $5,000 per troy ounce as investors seek safety amid geopolitical tensions. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple have bounced back slightly after recent declines, hinting at the possibility of further stabilization. Cardano is priced around $0.34, facing downward risks after a period of correction. Decreasing Open Interest points to less trader engagement, which raises caution. FXStreet highlights expert insights, stressing the need for thorough research before making investment decisions. FXStreet does not guarantee the accuracy of its information, and all investment risks fall on the investor.

    Impact of Coordinated Intervention

    The recent US-Japan talks on coordinated intervention have altered the outlook for the yen. The USD/JPY pair is retreating from its late 2025 highs near 172, signaling increased strength for the yen. Derivative traders might consider strategies like buying put options or setting up bearish put spreads as the yen strengthens. This shift seems plausible as the US can manage a weaker dollar. The latest Core PCE inflation for December 2025 registered at 2.1%, giving policymakers the chance to address global issues rather than focusing solely on domestic inflation. This environment makes the idea of a joint effort to weaken the dollar more serious than it has been in years. Implied volatility in yen options has spiked, with the Cboe Japanese Yen Volatility Index (JYVIX) at its highest since the market stress of 2023. This surge makes buying options quite costly. Therefore, traders should explore strategies that mitigate these high costs, like selling out-of-the-money call options while holding long positions. The well-known strategy of borrowing yen to invest in dollars is now at risk, causing the market to react. We’ve observed a more than 40% increase in the price of three-month put options on USD/JPY over the past week, indicating that large funds are eager to hedge against further declines. If this trend continues, it could trigger a sharper downward move in the coming weeks. We must recognize the significance of this potential policy shift, likening it to the Plaza Accord. Historically, in 1985, that agreement led to a 50% drop in the dollar’s value against the yen over two years. While history doesn’t repeat precisely, it sheds light on how impactful this realignment could be for currency markets. Widespread dollar weakness is also driving a surge in safe-haven assets, with gold now exceeding $5,100 an ounce. This confirms a broader retreat from the dollar as macroeconomic uncertainty rises. Using derivatives to gain exposure to gold and silver provides another way to capitalize on this anti-dollar trend. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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