USD/KRW: Range trade with slight downside bias – OCBC
Source Fxstreet
OCBC’s Sim Moh Siong and Christopher Wong note that USD/KRW has traded lower but remains range-bound, supported by strong Korean exports and better sentiment. While US tariff uncertainty can be USD-negative, broader risk-off could still cap KRW gains. The bank expects the BoK to hold rates, with FX impact driven by guidance, and continues to look for range trading as markets await tariff clarity.
BoK tone and risk sentiment in focus
"USDKRW traded lower over the last few sessions but remains well within its recent range."
"Strong exports numbers and pick-up in Korea consumer confidence, alongside US trade policy uncertainty were some of the drivers keeping KRW supported."
"While recent US tariff uncertainty can be USD-negative, we cautioned that any deterioration in broader risk sentiment can still restraint gains on high beta proxies such as KRW."
"For now, we still look for range trade as markets await greater clarity on the tariff path and its second-order impact on risk appetite."
"Support at 1435 (23.6% fibo retracement of Dec high to Jan low), 1432 and 1429 levels. Resistance at 1449/52 levels (21, 100 DMAs, 50% fibo), 1458/60 levels (50 DMA, 61.8% fibo)."
(This article was created with the help of an Artificial Intelligence tool and reviewed by an editor.)
Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Recommended Articles
Prioritize filling the $27,000 gap and even try higher.
Insights – On November 21, Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo (PDD) will release its Q3 2024 earnings.
Billionaire Elon Musk recently raised funds for his two high-profile tech companies, xAI and Neuralink.
Bitcoin briefly loses 2025 gains as crypto plunges over the weekend.Bitcoin experienced a sharp decline this weekend, briefly erasing its 2025 gains and dipping below its year-opening value of $93,507. The cryptocurrency fell to a low of $93,029 on Sunday, representing a 25% drop from its all-time high in October. Although it has rebounded slightly to around $94,209, the pressures on the market remain significant.
The downturn occurred despite the reopening of the U.S. government on Thursday, which many had hoped would provide essential support for crypto markets. This year initially appeared promising for cryptocurrencies, particularly after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has established the most pro-crypto administration thus far. However, ongoing political tensions—including Trump's tariff strategies and the recent government shutdown, lasting a historic 43 days—have contributed to several rapid price pullbacks for Bitcoin throughout the year.
Market dynamics are also being influenced by Bitcoin whales—investors holding large amounts of Bitcoin—who have been offloading portions of their assets, consequently stalling price rallies even as positive regulatory developments emerge. Despite these sell-offs, analysts from Glassnode argue that this behavior aligns with typical patterns seen among long-term investors during the concluding stages of bull markets, suggesting it is not indicative of a mass exodus.
Notably, Bitcoin is not alone in its struggles, as Ethereum and Solana have also recorded declines of 7.95% and 28.3%, respectively, since the start of the year, while numerous altcoins have faced even steeper losses.
Looking ahead, questions linger regarding the viability of the four-year cycle thesis, particularly given the increasing institutional support and regulatory frameworks now in place in the crypto landscape. Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, remains optimistic, suggesting a potential Bitcoin resurgence in 2026 driven by the “debasement trade” thesis and a broader trend toward increased adoption of stablecoins, tokenization, and decentralized finance. Hougan emphasized the soundness of the underlying fundamentals, pointing to a positive outlook for the sector in the longer term.
Bitcoin experienced a sharp decline this weekend, briefly erasing its 2025 gains and dipping below its year-opening value of $93,507. The cryptocurrency fell to a low of $93,029 on Sunday, representing a 25% drop from its all-time high in October. Although it has rebounded slightly to around $94,209, the pressures on the market remain significant.
The downturn occurred despite the reopening of the U.S. government on Thursday, which many had hoped would provide essential support for crypto markets. This year initially appeared promising for cryptocurrencies, particularly after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has established the most pro-crypto administration thus far. However, ongoing political tensions—including Trump's tariff strategies and the recent government shutdown, lasting a historic 43 days—have contributed to several rapid price pullbacks for Bitcoin throughout the year.
Market dynamics are also being influenced by Bitcoin whales—investors holding large amounts of Bitcoin—who have been offloading portions of their assets, consequently stalling price rallies even as positive regulatory developments emerge. Despite these sell-offs, analysts from Glassnode argue that this behavior aligns with typical patterns seen among long-term investors during the concluding stages of bull markets, suggesting it is not indicative of a mass exodus.
Notably, Bitcoin is not alone in its struggles, as Ethereum and Solana have also recorded declines of 7.95% and 28.3%, respectively, since the start of the year, while numerous altcoins have faced even steeper losses.
Looking ahead, questions linger regarding the viability of the four-year cycle thesis, particularly given the increasing institutional support and regulatory frameworks now in place in the crypto landscape. Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, remains optimistic, suggesting a potential Bitcoin resurgence in 2026 driven by the “debasement trade” thesis and a broader trend toward increased adoption of stablecoins, tokenization, and decentralized finance. Hougan emphasized the soundness of the underlying fundamentals, pointing to a positive outlook for the sector in the longer term.
Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD falls to near $72.00 amid fading safe-haven demandSilver price (XAG/USD) continues to lose ground after registering tiny losses in the previous day, trading around $72.90 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The safe-haven demand for the precious metal fades amid rising optimism over Middle East peace.
Silver price (XAG/USD) continues to lose ground after registering tiny losses in the previous day, trading around $72.90 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The safe-haven demand for the precious metal fades amid rising optimism over Middle East peace.
