EUR/USD now faces further selling pressure, slipping back toward the 1.1500 neighbourhood, or four-day lows. In the meantime, the US Dollar continues to push harder, advancing to new multi-day highs amid lingering uncertainty over the Middle East crisis and increasing caution among investors.
United States CFTC Oil NC Net Positions rose from previous 218.7K to 233.6K
EUR/USD now faces further selling pressure, slipping back toward the 1.1500 neighbourhood, or four-day lows. In the meantime, the US Dollar continues to push harder, advancing to new multi-day highs amid lingering uncertainty over the Middle East crisis and increasing caution among investors.
XRP extends decline amid muted ETF activity
Ripple (XRP) is trading in a largely bearish environment, extending its correction to $1.34, notably below its weekly open at $1.38. Sellers have remained in control since the failed attempt at $1.61, aligning with the March peak.
The potential retest of the pivotal $1.30 support level could determine the next direction XRP takes. For now, retail investors appear keen to buy the dip amid a strengthening derivatives market. However, risk-off sentiment is persistent among institutional investors, which could limit XRP’s upside.
Sentiment in the cryptocurrency market remains weak as a risk-off mood triggers capital flight. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index holds at 13 on Friday in the extreme fear territory, down from 14 the previous day.
XRP falters amid cooling institutional interest
Interest in XRP spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) continues to wobble, reflecting broader crypto market risk-off sentiment. Institutional investors who primarily seek exposure to XRP via ETFs are increasingly withdrawing funds or retreating to the sidelines, which is negatively impacting sentiment.
The XRP ETF market remained quiet, with all five products posting zero flows on Thursday. According to SoSoValue data, cumulative inflows average $1.21 billion, with net assets under management approximately at $949 million. The net assets’ downtrend extends from $1.65 billion on January 1.
The XRP derivatives market paints a slightly positive outlook, with futures Open Interest (OI) increasing to $2.65 billion on Friday, up from $2.53 billion the previous day. CoinGlass data shows that the OI has steadily grown from $2.33 billion on Monday, affirming that risk appetite is improving in the retail market. A steady increase in OI would support XRP’s recovery potential.
Technical outlook: XRP falls as near-term bias turns bearish
XRP is edging lower below its weekly high of $1.38 and trading around $1.35 amid a broader bearish trend. The price slipped below the upward-sloping support trendline that had been underpinning the advance from around $1.12 in early February. Daily closes remain well below the 50-day, 100-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), clustered between roughly $1.48 and $1.90, reinforcing a downside tilt as those averages cap rebounds.
Momentum has weakened, with the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator slipping below its signal line on the daily chart, and the red histogram bars expanding below the zero line. Moreover, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is around 41 on the same chart, remaining below the 50 midline. Both momentum indicators suggest sellers retain the initiative in the short term.
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XRP’s initial resistance lies at the broken trendline area around $1.39, where prior support and the recent breakdown level converge, followed by the 50-day EMA at $1.48. A recovery through these barriers would be needed to ease immediate downside pressure and open the way toward the 100-day EMA at 1.65. On the downside, immediate support aligns with the daily low around $1.33, and a clear break below this floor would expose the next bearish target near $1.30, where prior consolidation appeared, with scope for an extension toward $1.25 if downside momentum extends.
Ripple FAQs
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
Ireland Retail Sales (YoY) declined to 0.8% in February from previous 3%
Bitcoin trades below $69,000 after losing over 3% the previous day amid fears of an escalation in the US-Iran war, which is gripping global financial markets. Kite, Ethena, and Worldcoin are leading the losses, with double-digit corrections over the last 24 hours, as the broader cryptocurrency market suffered over $300 million in liquidations during the same period.
Asian stocks steady as market caution prevails on Middle East uncertainty
Asian equities trade sideways as uncertainty over the United States (US)–Iran peace talks limits risk appetite. At the time of writing, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is 0.03% higher to near 53,623, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is up 0.88 to 25,074, and the SSE Composite Index gains 0.75 to 3,920. However, Kospi is down 0.59% to near 5,430.
President Donald Trump said Washington would pause attacks on Iran’s energy sector for 10 days at Tehran’s request. However, Iran denied making such a request, underscoring fragile diplomacy and the low likelihood of a near-term ceasefire. Elevated oil prices have intensified inflation concerns, reinforcing hawkish expectations for central banks.
A growing number of Asia-Pacific governments are moving to stabilize financial markets and support liquidity as the prolonged conflict pressures regional currencies and drives broader volatility.
Japanese equities have recovered intraday losses but remain exposed to downside risks following the previous session’s decline and a sharp selloff on Wall Street, driven by skepticism over Iran negotiations. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is expected to highlight potential volatility in underlying inflation in next month’s quarterly report, according to former executive Kazuo Momma, as the Middle East conflict complicates policy decisions.
The Japanese government will use JPY 800 billion ($5 billion) in reserves to fund gasoline subsidies, costing up to JPY 300 billion monthly. Meanwhile, South Korea plans a 5 trillion Won bond buyback to inject liquidity and cap rising yields after three-year government bond yields climbed to their highest level since mid-2024.
Asian stocks FAQs
Asia contributes around 70% of global economic growth and hosts several key stock market indices. Among the region’s developed economies, the Japanese Nikkei – which represents 225 companies on the Tokyo stock exchange – and the South Korean Kospi stand out. China has three important indices: the Hong Kong Hang Seng, the Shanghai Composite and the Shenzhen Composite. As a big emerging economy, Indian equities are also catching the attention of investors, who increasingly invest in companies in the Sensex and Nifty indices.
Asia’s main economies are different, and each has specific sectors to pay attention to. Technology companies dominate in indices in Japan, South Korea, and increasingly, China. Financial services are leading stock markets such as Hong Kong or Singapore, considered key hubs for the sector. Manufacturing is also big in China and Japan, with a strong focus on automobile production or electronics. The growing middle class in countries like China and India is also giving more and more prominence to companies focused on retail and e-commerce.
Many different factors drive Asian stock market indices, but the main factor behind their performance is the aggregate results of the component companies revealed in their quarterly and annual earnings reports. The economic fundamentals of each country, as well as their central bank decisions or their government’s fiscal policies, are also important factors. More broadly, political stability, technological progress or the rule of law can also impact equity markets. The performance of US equity indices is also a factor as, more often than not, Asian markets take the lead from Wall Street stocks overnight. Finally, the broader risk sentiment in markets also plays a role as equities are considered a risky investment compared to other investment options such as fixed-income securities.
Investing in equities is risky by itself, but investing in Asian stocks comes along with region-specific risks to be taken into account. Asian countries have a wide range of political systems, from full democracies to dictatorships, so their political stability, transparency, rule of law or corporate governance requirements may diverge considerably. Geopolitical events such as trade disputes or territorial conflicts can lead to volatility in stock markets, as can natural disasters. Moreover, currency fluctuations can also have an impact on the valuation of Asian stock markets. This is particularly true in export-oriented economies, which tend to suffer from a stronger currency and benefit from a weaker one as their products become cheaper abroad.
Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD consolidates above $68.00; 100-SMA breakdown remains in play
Silver (XAG/USD) struggles to gain any meaningful traction on Friday and oscillates in a narrow trading band just above the $68.00 mark during the Asian session. Meanwhile, the technical setup suggests that the path of least resistance for the white metal remains to the downside and backs the case for an extension of the recent downfall witnessed over the past four weeks or so, from the monthly swing high.
The recent breakdown below the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) – for the first time since April 2025 – was seen as a key trigger for the XAG/USD bears. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator remains below the zero line with its latest values negative, reinforcing downside momentum despite some recent flattening. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers in the mid-30s, indicating weak momentum rather than outright oversold conditions and leaving room for further downside if sellers press the move.
Hence, any meaningful recovery attempt is likely to confront immediate resistance near the 100-day SMA, around $74.70. A daily close above this area would ease bearish pressure and open the way toward the $80.00 region as the next upside hurdle. On the downside, initial support is located at the recent low near $67.80, where a break would expose the mid-$60.00 zone as the next demand area in line with the broader moving-average-supported trend.
A sustained defense of $67.80 would keep the current pullback contained, while repeated failures below the 100-day SMA would maintain the focus on lower supports.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)
XAG/USD daily chart
Silver FAQs
Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.
Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold’s. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.
Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.
Silver prices tend to follow Gold’s moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.
New Zealand ANZ – Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence dipped from previous 100.1 to 91.3 in March
Gold comes under renewed selling pressure on Thursday, slipping back below the $4,400 mark per troy ounce, setting aside at the same time two consecutive days of gains. Concerns that higher energy prices linked to the Middle East crisis could fuel global inflation weigh on the yellow metal, while persistent strength in the US Dollar adds further downside pressure.
USD/CHF Price Forecast: Bullish momentum builds as the pair challenges the 200-day SMA
USD/CHF extends gains on Thursday as broad-based US Dollar (USD) strength persists amid rising Middle East tensions, while the Swiss Franc (CHF) struggles to gain traction as traders remain cautious about potential intervention from the Swiss National Bank to curb excessive currency appreciation.
At the time of writing, USD/CHF is trading around 0.7941, remaining on the front foot for a third consecutive day.
From a technical perspective, USD/CHF maintains a constructive tone after rebounding from the March 2 low near 0.7674, with price breaking above multi-week resistance around 0.7800, which closely aligns with the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 0.7794. The move signals improving short-term momentum and a shift in near-term market structure.
The pair has also cleared the 100-day SMA at 0.7890, reinforcing the bullish bias, and is now testing the 200-day SMA at 0.7946, a key resistance zone that could determine the next directional move. A sustained break above this level may open the door toward the 0.8000 psychological level, followed by the 0.8050 region.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 62 moves above the midline and signals firming upside momentum, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) line holds above the signal line in positive territory with a modest histogram, which reinforces a measured bullish tone rather than a strong trend.
On the downside, initial support is seen at the 100-day SMA, followed by the breakout zone near 0.7800. As long as price holds above these levels, the near-term bullish bias remains intact, while a break below could signal a resumption of the prevailing downtrend.
US Dollar Price Today
The table below shows the percentage change of US Dollar (USD) against listed major currencies today. US Dollar was the strongest against the Australian Dollar.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 0.22% | 0.22% | 0.14% | 0.30% | 0.68% | 0.65% | 0.31% | |
| EUR | -0.22% | -0.01% | -0.11% | 0.08% | 0.46% | 0.43% | 0.09% | |
| GBP | -0.22% | 0.00% | -0.09% | 0.08% | 0.47% | 0.43% | 0.10% | |
| JPY | -0.14% | 0.11% | 0.09% | 0.16% | 0.55% | 0.50% | 0.18% | |
| CAD | -0.30% | -0.08% | -0.08% | -0.16% | 0.39% | 0.35% | 0.01% | |
| AUD | -0.68% | -0.46% | -0.47% | -0.55% | -0.39% | -0.03% | -0.34% | |
| NZD | -0.65% | -0.43% | -0.43% | -0.50% | -0.35% | 0.03% | -0.34% | |
| CHF | -0.31% | -0.09% | -0.10% | -0.18% | -0.01% | 0.34% | 0.34% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the US Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent USD (base)/JPY (quote).
United States Continuing Jobless Claims below forecasts (1.86M) in March 13: Actual (1.819M)
The US is fast-tracking boots on the ground, with nearly 8,000 additional Marines and sailors moving into the theatre. The USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group has already arrived ahead of schedule with roughly 4,000 personnel, set to link up with the USS Tripoli group, bringing another 5,000 out of Japan.
Spain Gross Domestic Product (YoY) registered at 2.7% above expectations (2.6%) in 4Q
The US is fast-tracking boots on the ground, with nearly 8,000 additional Marines and sailors moving into the theatre. The USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group has already arrived ahead of schedule with roughly 4,000 personnel, set to link up with the USS Tripoli group, bringing another 5,000 out of Japan.