Euro gains against the pound while gold steadies and crypto wrestles with mixed sentiment ahead of key data releases.

Global markets closed the day with a mixed tone. The euro showed renewed strength versus the British pound, gold found modest support after a sharp slide, and the cryptocurrency sector remained volatile amid funding outflows and lingering doubts about AI‑driven hacking claims. Traders kept an eye on upcoming US manufacturing data and a series of high‑impact Australian Reserve Bank releases.

Currencies and central banks

The euro tested resistance around 0.8360 as the pound lost momentum, helped by a reversal in oil prices and better‑than‑expected Eurozone manufacturing figures. Meanwhile, the New Zealand dollar slipped below 0.5560, hovering near 0.5620 during the European session, reflecting weaker risk appetite. The British pound retreated from two‑week highs despite solid UK manufacturing data, indicating that the earlier rally may have been premature. In the Asia‑Pacific region, the Australian dollar stayed above the 0.7000 level against the US dollar as market participants priced in potential RBA rate moves later today.

Gold and commodities

Gold (XAU/USD) recovered modestly after touching a yearly low of $3,870, buoyed by a pullback in oil prices linked to diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran. Analysts at ING noted that the metal’s rebound reflects persistent inflation concerns and expectations of higher‑for‑longer interest rates. Brent crude futures remain on an upward trajectory, with OCBC strategists projecting $100 per barrel by the end of 2026, while recent diplomatic signals have temporarily eased the war‑premium component in crude pricing.

Crypto

The cryptocurrency market stayed on a fragile footing. Bitcoin slipped 0.4% to about $77,900 after a surge of $3.64 billion was withdrawn from Binance following the reopening of withdrawals, while crypto‑linked ETFs suffered $643 million of outflows. Overall market capitalisation sits at $2.62 trillion, still below the October peak after a 7.5% monthly decline. Analysts highlighted that the recent North Korean hacking episode appears to rely on scripted automation rather than sophisticated AI, tempering expectations of AI‑driven threats in the space.

Key calendar events (next 24 hours)

• 15:00 UTC – USD ISM Manufacturing PMI – medium impact
• 03:30 UTC – AUD Cash Rate – high impact
• 03:30 UTC – AUD RBA Monetary Policy Statement – high impact
• 03:30 UTC – AUD RBA Rate Statement – high impact
• 04:30 UTC – AUD RBA Press Conference – high impact
• 07:30 UTC – CHF CPI m/m – medium impact

Related news

• FBI attributes $6bn Binance hack to North Korea as withdrawals resume
• Gold and silver price outlook as bargain hunters return after worst October since 2008
• Australian dollar dips further amid mixed data with RBA decision in focus
• DXY slides to 101.75 as Iran talks lift safe‑haven demand

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This article is compiled from international market news for information only. It is not investment advice.