US Fed's Kashkari: slack might still be in economy

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 pair struggles to capitalize on the overnight bounce from the 1.3310 area, or a one-week low, and oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Thursday. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.3370 region, down less than 0.10% for the day, as traders opt to wait on the sidelines ahead of the key central bank event risk and US consumer inflation data.

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.

The crypto market whipsawed on Wednesday as top cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), quickly reversed gains from the early American session.

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.