Ethereum (ETH) is up 1% on Monday, holding around the same prices as last week, as key fundamental metrics signal persistent risk-off sentiment.
Gold (XAU/USD) price edges up by over 1.30% on Monday amid thin trading due to the US Memorial Day holiday, yet sentiment remains positive as US equity futures are rising to new all-time highs, while the US Dollar dives. The XAU/USD pair trades at $4,570 after bouncing off daily lows of $4,519.
The British Pound (GBP) strengthens against the US Dollar (USD) on Monday, with GBP/USD climbing toward the 1.3500 mark as improving optimism surrounding a possible US-Iran agreement boosts market sentiment and weighs on the Greenback.
According to Nikkei, the US and Iran agreed to extend the ceasefire from early April for 60 days, the newspaper reported, citing a source.
USD/CAD trades on the back foot on Monday, snapping a four-day winning streak as markets monitor evolving developments surrounding ongoing US-Iran negotiations. At the time of writing, the pair is trading around 1.3803 after easing from an intraday high near 1.3820.
Scotiabank’s Global FX Strategy team highlights that global benchmark Oil prices are lower, with WTI nearing the psychologically important $90/bbl level and Brent slipping toward the mid-$90s after briefly trading above $100/bbl.
Near Protocol (NEAR) extends its rebound above $2.50 on Monday, as crypto prices broadly stabilize amid optimism of a potential US-Iran peace agreement.
UOB’s Jester Koh notes that Singapore’s 1Q26 GDP was sharply revised higher and that MTI kept its 2026 growth forecast at 2.0–4.0%. The bank raises its 2026 GDP forecast to 3.2%, citing sustained AI-related demand and strong electronics indicators.
The Greenback has started the week on the back foot, receding to multi-week lows on the back of the generalised improvement in the risk complex, all in response to rising optimism on a potential US-Iran deal.
The Euro advances during Monday’s session, up by 0.37% amid renewed hopes for an agreement between the US and Iran to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and discuss a deal regarding Iran’s uranium enrichment program. The EUR/USD trades at 1.1645 at the time of writing.
GBP/JPY trades with a positive bias on Monday as the British Pound (GBP) outperforms the Japanese Yen (JPY) amid improving market sentiment surrounding a potential US-Iran deal. At the time of writing, the cross is trading around 214.52, up 0.30% on the day.
Scotiabank’s Global FX Strategy team observes renewed strength in non-energy commodities such as copper, while emphasizing that Gold remains anchored by the technically important $4500/oz level.
The US Dollar (USD) kickstarts the new trading week on the back foot as investors continue to assess news that a potential US-Iran deal could be clinched anytime soon.
UOB’s Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note that USD/CNH has slipped toward the lower end of its recent range after trading tightly between 6.7923 and 6.8033.
Scotiabank’s Global FX Strategy team, including Shaun Osborne and Eric Theoret, notes that the Canadian Dollar is flat against the Dollar and underperforming other G10 currencies due to its differentiated risk profile.
Citing mediators, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Monday that progress toward finalizing an agreement to end the war between the United States (US) and Iran has slowed down on Monday, citing ongoing disaggreements over Iran's nuclear program and Tehran's demand of financial relief.
Brown Brothers Harriman’s (BBH) Elias Haddad expects the Bank of Korea (BoK) to hold its policy rate at 2.50%, but warns of a hawkish surprise aimed at curbing Korean Won (KRW) weakness.
USD/JPY consolidates on Monday after opening the week with a bearish gap as the US Dollar (USD) comes under pressure amid growing optimism that the United States (US) and Iran are moving closer toward a deal that could eventually reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
HSBC Asset Management spotlights Asia’s small-cap stocks as a strong performer over the past five years, outperforming regional large caps with lower volatility and better sector diversification.
TD Securities economists, led by Robert Both, expect the Bank of Canada to keep the overnight rate at 2.25% through 2026 before lifting it back to a 2.75% neutral level in 2027.
Ripple (XRP) is holding support at $1.35 at the time of writing on Monday, as crypto prices broadly recover amid optimism for a US-Iran ceasefire deal. XRP’s momentum, although subtle, aligns with steady demand through related investment products.
In a post published on Truth Social on Monday, United States (US) President Donald Trump noted that negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are proceeding nicely.
UOB’s Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann expect USD/SGD to edge lower and test 1.2760 in the near term, though a sustained break below that level is unlikely. They maintain a 1–3 week range-trading view between 1.2730 and 1.2820, with major support at 1.2730 seen as intact.
Gold (XAU/USD) rebounds sharply on Monday as hopes for a US-Iran deal to end the war in the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz weigh on the US Dollar (USD) and Oil prices. At the time of writing, XAU/USD is trading around $4,556, up 1.0% on the day.