GBP/JPY falls below 160.50 mark amid uncertainty surrounding Credit Suisse

• GBP/JPY bears eye on 159.00 level amid liquidity crisis.
• BoE in discussion over Credit Suisse’s worsening situation.
• Global bond yields drop amid risk aversion; boost to Japanese yen. 

GBP/JPY has been plummeting from the 164.00 level as Japanese Yen demand surges. It has been a while since the Yen acted as a safe haven, with the US Dollar typically taking that role. However, falling US Treasuries are diminishing US Dollar demand, and as a result, the conventional safe-haven Japanese Yen is in high demand amid risk aversion.

Some headlines earlier in the Asian trading session suggested that the Bank of England (BoE) is in talks with its international counterparts regarding Credit Suisse's worsening situation. Subsequently, remarks appeared from Credit Suisse proposing preemptive steps to resolve the liquidity crunch, either through a public offering of debt securities or by obtaining a CHF50 billion covered loan facility from the Swiss National Bank (SNB).

Amid the uncertainty surrounding Credit Suisse and Silicon Valley Bank, market participants are seeking government bonds as safe-haven assets, causing yields to fall globally. The falling yields are further boosting Yen demand in a risk-averse environment.

Meanwhile, unscheduled comments from former Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Kuroda hit the wires, stating that the central bank has implemented an effective, sustainable policy. In addition, Japanese Merchandise Trade Balance data revealed that yearly Import data for February came in at 8.3%, lower than the 12.2% expected, and Export data registered 6.5%, compared to the 7.1% expected. The directional bias for GBP/JPY is likely to remain on the downside amid a risk-averse environment.

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