EUR/USD stabilizes near 1.1700, looks to post weekly losses
EUR/USD clings to modest gains near 1.1700 on Friday. Earlier in the day, the data from Germany showed that IFO - Current Assessment Index for April declined to 85.4 from 86.7 in March, limiting the Euro's gains. In the absence of US data releases, investors will keep a close eye on headlines surrounding the conflict in the Middle East.
GBP/USD recovers toward 1.3500 as markets remain choppy
GBP/USD rebounds from session lows and closes in on 1.3500 in the second half of the day on Friday as investors largely ignore mixed UK Retail Sales data for March. The cautious market stance amid the persistent uncertainty regarding the US-Iran talks could limit the pair's upside in the near term.
Gold recovers above $4,700 but struggles to gather momentum
Gold trades modestly higher on the day above $4,700 after having touched a fresh 10-day low below $4,660 earlier in the day, but looks to end the week in negative territory. Intensifying US-Iran tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and the lack of progress in peace talks keep investors on edge. Moreover, reviving inflationary fears temper expectations for a more dovish US Federal Reserve and underpin the US Dollar, which is seen weighing on the yellow metal.
Aave upside capped below $100 as DeFi rallies to support KelpDAO recovery
Aave trades around $93.33 as of writing on Friday, as the liquidity crunch within decentralized finance (DeFi) continues to ripple in the sector following Sunday’s exploit on KelpDAO. The token’s upside appears limited below $100.00, while bulls hold firmly above $90.00 support, confining the price in a tight range.
DEEPER DIVE
Why does Bitcoin seem not to care about the Middle East War?
The Iran war has messed many assets, with one notable exception: Bitcoin. The price of the main crypto has been surprisingly resilient in the past few weeks and way less volatile than other assets considered risky, such as US equities.
Kevin Warsh: To please or not to please President Trump Premium
United States President Donald Trump’s nominee to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair, Kevin Warsh, faced senators, and there was no subtlety. When directly asked if he believes his nomination was directly linked to Trump’s “obsession” with lower rates, the answer was no surprise.
HSBC, OCBC predictions for Gold: Buy the dip
Gold prices have fluctuated significantly this 2026 so far, reaching an all-time high at almost $5,600 per troy ounce at the end of January, and then correcting to a low of $4,100 in March.
CRYPTOCURRENCIES
Zcash gains momentum as bulls eye 12% upside move
Zcash is grinding up above $355 at the time of writing on Friday, shrugging off emerging headwinds in the broader crypto market. The privacy-oriented token tested support at $300 on Sunday, allowing bulls to increase their risk exposure and build momentum for the current gains.
XRP holds fragile support as weak ETF flows cap recovery
Ripple exhibits technical weakness, trading around $1.43 at the time of writing on Friday. Prices across the crypto market appear pressured amid buyer exhaustion following the early-week gains driven by the extension of the US-Iran ceasefire on Tuesday.
Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP ease amid cooling retail demand
Bitcoin is trading just below the critical $78,000 resistance at the time of writing on Friday. This pivotal level continues to shape BTC’s outlook, with a sustained break above it likely to open the door to gains above $80,000.
STOCKS
Newmont Q1 earnings: Taking a look at key metrics versus estimates
Newmont Corporation (NEM) reported $7.31 billion in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 45.9%. EPS of $2.90 for the same period compares to $1.25 a year ago.
Nasdaq 100 rebound looks strong… or is it just a trap?
The Nasdaq 100 spent the past few sessions recovering strongly from its November lows, rebounding from 24,307 and climbing back into the 25,100–25,150 mid-range zone. While the candles look convincing, the broader picture reveals a different story: the index remains trapped inside a 4H range structure.
WEEKLY FORECAST
EUR/USD: War and central banks in the limelight Premium
The EUR/USD pair ended a three-week winning streak and settled below the 1.1700 mark as the US Dollar strengthened amid Middle East uncertainty.
Will reopening Hormuz fix the energy market? Not really Premium
Bitcoin: Market structure shifts to bullish
Bitcoin looks set for a fourth consecutive week of gains, hinting at a bullish market structure as it faces resistance at the $80,000 psychological level.
Week ahead – Geopolitics, central bank meetings and earnings test market resilience
Middle East developments drive market sentiment as negotiations appear to have stalled. An action-packed week ahead, with key GDP prints, central bank meetings and pivotal US earnings. US Dollar rebound to be tested if ME newsflow improves and/or ECB and BoE turn hawkish.
EDUCATION
Prop trading in the United States: Why more traders are looking at futures
The United States is a major financial market, but it is much more restrictive for retail traders who want to try prop trading. As a result, US traders face a different prop-trading environment than those in Europe, Asia, or offshore locations.
Risk is a system, not a percentage
Ask a trader how they manage risk and the answer is often immediate: “I risk one percent per trade.” It introduces discipline. It prevents overexposure. For many, it is where risk management begins.
PRESS RELEASES
Beyond the core: cTrader add-ons and their value for brokers
With cTrader’s add-ons, brokers can expand platform functionality, improve trader engagement and reduce the total cost of ownership.
IUX engages Nigeria trading community at Trader Fair Lagos 2026
IUX highlights its participation at Trader Fair Lagos 2026, where the company joined as a Gold Sponsor and exhibitor, engaging with traders, partners, and industry participants across Nigeria’s growing trading community.
Funded Trading Plus Joins Propinder: The prop firm that prioritizes transparency and trader success
Propinder, the free prop trading challenge finder powered by FXStreet, announces Funded Trading Plus as a launch partner.