USD Retreats Today, BTC Price to Head to $150K After the Big Break
Today the USD has been retreating, after a jump in unemployment claims, but probably also due to funds flowing into BTC, which made the big break above $100,000 last night.
Currency Market Overview
The major currency markets were quiet as traders awaited key U.S. economic data expected later this week. This lack of immediate catalysts kept price movements subdued, with no significant developments driving action in most currency pairs.
Japanese Yen Strengthens Amid BOJ Comments
The Japanese yen saw some strength during Asian trading after dovish Bank of Japan (BOJ) board member Nakamura clarified his position ahead of the central bank’s December meeting. While he did not rule out the possibility of rate hikes, Nakamura emphasized the need for more concrete evidence to justify such a move.
This commentary drove early action in USD/JPY , which fell to a session low of 149.70 before recovering slightly to trade at 150.40, down 0.1% on the day.
USD and Commodity Currencies
The U.S. dollar remained marginally weaker overall but held relatively steady. Commodity-linked currencies edged higher, with EUR/USD and GBP/USD both rising by 0.4% to 1.0585 and 1.2525, respectively.
U.S. futures showed caution, providing no significant market direction. In Europe, indices continued their recent strong performance despite political uncertainty in Paris, with French equities expected to post gains this week.
Unemployment Data and European Developments
In the U.S., initial unemployment claims rose to 224,000, the highest level in six weeks. This increase, potentially linked to fewer seasonal positions or post-election layoffs, supported mild gains in the euro and pound, which reached their daily highs following the report.
In Germany, a proposal to issue joint debt to meet NATO spending commitments spurred action in bond markets. Bund yields rose by five basis points to session highs, reflecting increased market attention to fiscal developments within the eurozone.
Bitcoin Breaks $100,000
The day’s most significant event came from the cryptocurrency market, where Bitcoin surged past $100,000 for the first time ever. Early European trading saw the cryptocurrency extend its gains, trading above $102,000 and signaling strong bullish sentiment.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the milestone, offering a cryptic “You’re welcome,” widely interpreted as an indirect endorsement of Bitcoin. This marks a key psychological and technical breakthrough for the cryptocurrency, with expectations now set for further targets at $120,000, $150,000, or even $200,000.
Bitcoin’s rally may also indicate broader risk-on sentiment heading into 2025, positioning it as a leading indicator for market confidence.
Bitcoin Live Chart
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