**Market Roundup: U.S. Dollar Stalls as Traders Eye Potential Federal Reserve Moves**
**By: Forex Market Insights Team**
**TOKYO (Reuters)** – As the forex market navigates through uncertainty, the U.S. dollar took a breather on Thursday, pausing its recent upward trajectory. Traders are closely monitoring comments from President-elect Donald Trump regarding his proposed policies, which are increasingly influencing market sentiment and expectations for future Federal Reserve interest rate adjustments.
In a striking parallel, bitcoin continued its remarkable rise, nearing the $100,000 mark. This surge is buoyed by investor optimism that Trump may foster a more favorable regulatory atmosphere for cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin hit a record high of $97,902 earlier in the day, before consolidating at $96,860, reflecting a 2.54% daily gain.
The dollar index, a measure of the U.S. currency against its main rivals, slipped 0.11% to 106.49 but remains close to highs not seen in nearly a year. This past election period has seen the dollar appreciate more than 2% since November 5, fueled by speculation that Trump’s policies could reignite inflation and consequently impact the Fed’s rate strategies.
Senior market analyst Matt Simpson from City Index noted, “Shorting the USD appears risky at the moment,” citing changing expectations regarding a potential Federal Reserve rate cut in December. Current market odds for a rate cut have declined sharply, down to just under 54% from over 82% in the prior week, according to CME’s FedWatch Tool.
A recent Reuters poll indicates that most economists anticipate a rate cut at the Fed’s December meeting. However, forecasts for future cuts in 2025 have been tempered amid concerns over potential inflation stemming from upcoming fiscal policies.
Traders are also weighing the implications of Trump’s proposed tariff measures, potentially impacting global trade dynamics, particularly with Europe and China. Currency strategist Moh Siong Sim from Bank of Singapore remarked, “Market participants find themselves in a wait-and-see scenario, particularly with the ongoing formation of Trump’s cabinet. Clarity on economic strategies may still be some time away.”
The euro experienced a slight uptick of 0.09% to $1.0554, recovering modestly from a 0.5% drop the previous day. The euro remains under pressure, reflecting its recent lows against the dollar amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.
Elsewhere, the U.S.-Russia tensions remain high as Ukraine intensified military action, a development contributing to broader market apprehensions impacting the eurozone sentiment, thus favoring the dollar further.
In the UK, the pound traded slightly higher at $1.2652, increasing by 0.04%.
Meanwhile, comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda highlighted the BOJ’s considerations regarding foreign exchange fluctuations and their potential impact on economic forecasts. Following these statements, the dollar dipped 0.51% against the yen, settling at 154.63 yen, as traders assess the implications of the yen’s recent slide and potential interventions by Japanese authorities.
As we move toward year-end, traders should remain vigilant regarding these developments and adjust their strategies in response to ongoing policy shifts and geopolitical events that could influence currency movements in the coming weeks.
**Stay tuned for further updates and insights as we continue to analyze market trends and trading opportunities.**
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