The 10-year JGB yield rose 2 basis points to 0.050%, its highest level since late-June while the 20-year yield advanced 1.5 basis points to 0.440%, a high last seen on June 30
Cryptocurrencies were volatile after suffering one of their biggest losses on Wednesday in the wake of China's decision to ban financial and payment institutions from providing digital currency services.
Powell has frequently noted that it took a decade after the 2008 global financial crisis for the US economy to return to full employment, while inflation consistently fell short of its target.
"A key driver (for the Kiwi) is expected to be a continuation of the global recovery which should see commodity currencies outperform," Westpac analysts said in a note.
And it will be up to Janet Yellen, Powell's predecessor as Fed chief who is now Biden's Treasury secretary, to take up the lead in pushing that stimulus package through Congress.