Forget Gold – The Yen Is 2025’s Silent Safe Haven Winner

As gold continues to capture headlines with its record-breaking rally past $3500

The recent price action in the markets has been interesting to follow, especially with the sharp depreciation of the dollar and the strong performance of the yen. As we discussed previously, the trade of "long yen, short S&P 500" would have yielded a 24% return year-to-date, in stark contrast to the battered U.S. equities market.

One factor that has likely contributed to the yen's strength is the ongoing feud between President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Trump's persistent criticism of Powell, ranging from accusations of political bias to the suggestion of replacement, has sparked fear among investors over the Federal Reserve's independence.

This concern, in turn, has driven up demand for non-dollar safe havens, such as gold and the yen. With uncertainty over the outlook for U.S. equities and the dollar, investors appear to be dusting off a classic defensive play—long yen, short S&P 500.

With the dollar index now testing the 100 level and the dollar-yen pair dropping below the psychologically important 140, the stage is set for further weakness in the greenback. Especially if the upcoming U.S.-Japan meetings bring up any currency talks, we could see even more downside from here, according to ING strategist Francesco Pesole.

Moreover, the Bank of Japan appears committed to its cautious tightening approach, even as inflation estimates are adjusted due to yen strength. This consistency is valuable in uncertain times, and we could see further flows into the yen as a result.

According to Goldman Sachs strategist Kamakshya Trivedi, the yen historically outperforms when both stocks and bonds sell off simultaneously—especially when market volatility spikes. With the CBOE Volatility Index on the rise and recession fears growing, the yen may continue to shine in the months ahead.

While gold's explosive run has dominated headlines, the yen's quiet strength is proving just as telling—offering a clear signal of where global capital is seeking shelter.