Market Structure, Order Blocks and Points of Interest

AUD/USD remains under pressure near 0.6600 in the Asian session on Thursday amid a softer risk tone, lending some support to the safe-haven US Dollar. China's economic woes also undermine the Aussie, though the RBA's hawkish stance limits losses. The focus now is on the US CPI data release. 

USD/JPY extends its upswing toward 156.00 in the Asian session on Thursday. The US Dollar attempts a tepid bounce against the Japanese Yen amid profit-taking ahead of the US CPI data due later in the day and Friday's BoJ policy announcements.  

Gold price edges lower below $4,350 during the Asian trading hours on Thursday. The precious metal retreats from seven-week highs amid some profit-taking and a rebound in the US Dollar (USD). The potential downside for the yellow metal might be limited after the recent US jobs data reinforce market expectations of further interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve and drag the USD lower. 

Pump.fun, SPX6900, and Bittensor are leading the losses in the cryptocurrency market over the last 24 hours amid total liquidations of over $500 million. The retail segment alleges institutional manipulation amid an early-morning Bitcoin sell-off routine in the US market.

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. 

Here is what you need to know on Thursday, December 18: