US Payrolls growth gives Wall Street a pre-holiday boost

The US Dollar resumed its decline in the American afternoon, helping EUR/USD trim early losses. The pair trades around 1.1750 as market participants gear up for the European Central Bank monetary policy decision and the United States Consumer Price Index.

The GBP/USD changed course after dipping with UK inflation data, and trades near the 1.3400 mark, as investors expect the Bank of England to deliver a 25 basis points interest rate cut after the two-day meeting on Thursday.

Gold is seen consolidating near the top end of the weekly range, below the $4,350 level, during the Asian session on Thursday. The US Dollar preserves the overnight recovery gains and caps the bullion, though a weaker risk tone and dovish Fed bets act as a tailwind for the non-yielding yellow metal. Traders now look to the US consumer inflation figures for cues about the Fed's rate-cut path in 2026 before placing fresh directional bets around the XAU/USD pair.

Bitcoin (BTC) remains under pressure, trading below $87,000 on Wednesday, nearing a key support level. A decisive daily close below this zone could open the door to a deeper correction.

While the Fed eased its monetary policy on 10 December for the third consecutive FOMC meeting, without making any guarantees about future action, the BoE, the ECB and the BoJ are holding their respective meetings this week. 

Bitcoin faces extended pressure as institutional investors reduce their risk exposure. Ethereum’s upside capped at $3,000, weighed down by ETF outflows and bearish signals. XRP slides toward November’s support at $1.82 despite mild ETF inflows.