China is widely expected to leave its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Friday, a Reuters poll showed, as falling yields, shrinking net interest margins and a weakening yuan create limits for immediate monetary easing.
The dollar flirted with a two-year peak on Thursday after the Federal Reserve signalled a slower pace of rate cuts in 2025, while the yen slid after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) stood pat on rates and offered few clues on its monetary outlook.
Gold prices rebounded from a one-month low on Thursday as the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates as expected, although the central bank’s hawkish stance on future rate cuts clouded the outlook for bullion.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency had hit an all-time high of $108,244.9 on Tuesday after incoming President Donald Trump further raised the prospect of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve last week.
Asian stocks slipped and the dollar was perched near a two-year high on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve cautioned it would temper the pace of rate cuts next year, while the yen dipped after the Bank of Japan kept rates steady.
