Bitcoin stalls at 78k as soaring dollar puts pressure on crypto

Bitcoin's late-August rally hit a wall just shy of $78,000 as a resurgent U.S. dollar flexed its muscles across global markets. The greenback’s sudden strength didn't just rattle crypto traders; it sent the Japanese yen tumbling past the critical 160 level, a threshold that usually triggers government intervention. Investors are recalibrating their bets as expectations for aggressive interest rate hikes return to the forefront. This shift in sentiment creates a tough environment for risk assets that thrived earlier in the month. While Bitcoin isn't plummeting, the lack of momentum suggests the market is waiting for the next macroeconomic catalyst. The pressure from the currency markets is real and immediate. Can BTC break this dollar-driven deadlock before the September calendar begins?