Dollar Index eyes 102 while JPY pairs break higher [Video]
![Dollar Index eyes 102 while JPY pairs break higher [Video]](https://editorial.fxsstatic.com/images/i/discover-68.png)
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Kim Cramer Larsson
KCL Consult
Kim Cramer Larsson hosts the Daily Technical Update, a daily 15-20 minutes video with live charts.
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GBP/USD is defending its renewed uptick above 1.3300 in the European session on Friday, helped by stronger-than-expected UK Retail Sales data for June. The pair snaps a five-day losing streak but the upside potential could be limited amid heightened military tensions in the Middle East.
EUR/USD is catching a fresh bid and retakes 1.1400 in European trading on Friday. The pair gains ground after Germany's preliminary HCOB Manufacturing PMI beat estimates with 52.2 in July, lifting the Euro. However, further upside could be limited by escalating conflicts in the Middle East, despite the ECB's hawkish hold decision.
Gold remains under some selling pressure for the second straight day, and weakens further below the $4,050 level during the Asian session. Escalating US-Iran tensions support elevated crude oil prices, fueling inflation fears and bolstering expectations of higher-for-longer US interest rates. This helps the US Dollar preserve its strong weekly gains to a nearly one-month high, touched on Thursday, and turns out to be a key factor undermining the non-yielding bullion.
Ethereum is hovering slightly below the $1,900 level, down 3% on Thursday following a slight expansion in derivatives interest. The top altcoin's open interest has increased to 14.60 million ETH, marking a 600K ETH increase over the past two days and its highest level since June 7.
The broader cryptocurrency market faces headwinds with rising tensions between the US and Iran, pushing Bitcoin down to its 50-day Exponential Moving Average support around $65,135 on Friday. Under pressure, Pi Network and Sky emerge as the worst-performing crypto assets over the last 24 hours.
The US Dollar enters the second half of 2026 in a markedly different position from a year ago. The King currency has recovered, reflecting persistent US inflation, changing expectations for Fed policy, geopolitical tensions and renewed demand for defensive assets.
