Ukraine Buys EU Natural Gas Amid Russian Attacks on Energy Infrastructure

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced a forum for crypto industry CEOs to provide input on an upcoming digital asset pilot program.

According to the CFTC, the pilot program will explore “tokenized non-cash collateral,” which includes stablecoins and similar products.

CEOs from stablecoin issuer Circle, centralized exchanges Coinbase and Crypto.com, and blockchain firm Ripple will attend the forum.

Acting CFTC Chairman Caroline Pham said continued engagement with the crypto industry would pave the way toward fulfilling the Trump administration’s pro-crypto promises.

The pilot program, recent changes at the CFTC, and collaboration with industry executives reflect a regulatory shift under the new administration.

CFTC gets a remodel, takes new regulatory direction

The CFTC named Pham as acting chairman in January 2025 until a permanent appointee is selected by President Donald Trump and confirmed by Congress.

Following the appointment, Pham announced sweeping leadership changes at the regulatory agency, including new directors for the regulator’s market oversight and enforcement divisions.

On Jan. 27, the acting chairman announced a series of roundtables with crypto industry leaders and market participants to gather public input on digital asset market structure. Pham said:

“The CFTC will get back to basics by hosting staff roundtables that will develop a robust administrative record with studies, data, expert reports, and public input.”

“A holistic approach to evolving market trends will help to establish clear rules of the road and safeguards that will promote US economic growth,” Pham continued.

Digital asset regulation, prediction markets and potential conflicts of interest will be some of the topics for the upcoming roundtables.

On Feb. 4, acting Chairman Pham said the agency was ending “regulation by enforcement,” choosing to focus on fraud and consumer protection instead.

As part of the regulatory pivot, the agency simplified its enforcement task forces into two main groups tasked with combating fraud and helping victims of fraudulent schemes.

The financial regulator’s newly reorganized divisions will target two main buckets of fraudulent activity: retail fraud and incidents of complex fraud across asset classes.

Source: COINTELEGRAPH

United States (US) President Donald Trump hit newswires for a second time on Friday, during a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. President Trump reiterated his desire to "work out" the US' trade deficit with Japan, which currently sits around $65 Billion per year. Shares in US Steel were halted on Friday after President Trump directly addressed his willingness to allow the takeover of the domestic metals producer by Japan-based Nippon Steel.

Key highlights

Japan has committed to double defense spending by 2027 compared to my first term.

The US will extend full strength of American deterrence capabilities in defense of Japan.

This week we have approved nearly $1 billion in foreign military sales for Japan.

We have a lot of people investing in the US.

Teams discussed how Japan and the US can do more to stay on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence.

Japan will soon begin importing new shipments of American liquefied natural gas.

We are going to work out the trade deficit with Japan.

We want trade with all countries based on fairness.

We are going to work out trade deficit with Japan, we can do it with just oil and gas.

Nippon Steel looking at investment in US Steel.

Source: FXSTREET

Gold resumed its uptrend on Friday amid the escalation of the trade war between the US and China and a mixed US employment report. The XAU/USD trades at $2,862, up 0.24%.

US President Donald Trump's plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries next week lent a lifeline to Bullion traders as the yellow metal rose on those remarks. Therefore, tensions over the weekend could increase flows to Gold’s safe-haven appeal.

US data revealed that Nonfarm Payrolls in January missed the mark, but the Unemployment Rate dipped compared to estimates and December’s reading. The data suggests the labor market remains strong, which might prevent the Federal Reserve (Fed) from easing policy.

Following the data, Bullion prices jumped to the session's highs of $2,886, but once the dust settled, Gold retraced to its previous level.

Earlier, reports emerged that the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) resumed buying Gold with reserves increasing from 73.29 million ounces to 73.65 million ounces.

Meanwhile, Fed speakers crossed the newswires, continuing with their patient rhetoric.

Minneapolis Fed President Kashkari sees the policy rate “modestly lower.” Chicago Fed President Goolsbee said recently that NFP data was solid and that rates would be lower, but the pace “will be slower with more fogginess.”

Fed Governor Adriana Kugler said the inflation rate “has gone sideways,” adding that “it makes sense to hold the policy rate where it is.”

Daily digest market movers: Gold price climbs alongside the US Dollar

The US Dollar Index (DXY) edges up 0.32% and sits at 108.04 after hitting a daily low of 107.51.

The US 10-year Treasury bond yield rises five basis points to 4.487%.

US real yields, which correlate inversely to Bullion prices, climbed three basis points to 2.062%, a headwind for XAU/USD.

US Nonfarm Payrolls in January dipped from 256K to 143K, missing the mark of 170K. The Unemployment Rate slid from 4.1% to 4%.

Money market fed funds rate futures are pricing in 39 basis points of easing by the Federal Reserve in 2025.

XAU/USD technical outlook: Gold prices set to challenge $2,900

Gold’s trend is up yet bulls have failed to clear the $2,900 figure. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is in overbought territory, while XAU/USD’s price action shows signs of exhaustion.

If Gold drops below $2,800, the next support would be the psychological $2,750 area, followed by the January 27 swing low of $2,730. Conversely, if the yellow metal rises above $2,900, the next key resistance would be the psychological $2,950, followed by $3,000.

Source: FXSTREET

Source：Actionforex

Gold gains as traders react to President Trump's threat of new reciprocal tariffs, enhancing its safe-haven status.

US Nonfarm Payrolls fall short of expectations, yet a declining Unemployment Rate suggests a resilient labor market.

PBoC’s increased Gold reserves and cautious comments from Fed officials contribute to the metal's price dynamics.

Gold resumed its uptrend on Friday amid the escalation of the trade war between the US and China and a mixed US employment report. The XAU/USD trades at $2,862, up 0.24%.

US President Donald Trump's plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries next week lent a lifeline to Bullion traders as the yellow metal rose on those remarks. Therefore, tensions over the weekend could increase flows to Gold’s safe-haven appeal.

US data revealed that Nonfarm Payrolls in January missed the mark, but the Unemployment Rate dipped compared to estimates and December’s reading. The data suggests the labor market remains strong, which might prevent the Federal Reserve (Fed) from easing policy.

Following the data, Bullion prices jumped to the session's highs of $2,886, but once the dust settled, Gold retraced to its previous level.

Earlier, reports emerged that the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) resumed buying Gold with reserves increasing from 73.29 million ounces to 73.65 million ounces.

Meanwhile, Fed speakers crossed the newswires, continuing with their patient rhetoric.

Minneapolis Fed President Kashkari sees the policy rate “modestly lower.” Chicago Fed President Goolsbee said recently that NFP data was solid and that rates would be lower, but the pace “will be slower with more fogginess.”

Fed Governor Adriana Kugler said the inflation rate “has gone sideways,” adding that “it makes sense to hold the policy rate where it is.”

Daily digest market movers: Gold price climbs alongside the US Dollar

The US Dollar Index (DXY) edges up 0.32% and sits at 108.04 after hitting a daily low of 107.51.

The US 10-year Treasury bond yield rises five basis points to 4.487%.

US real yields, which correlate inversely to Bullion prices, climbed three basis points to 2.062%, a headwind for XAU/USD.

US Nonfarm Payrolls in January dipped from 256K to 143K, missing the mark of 170K. The Unemployment Rate slid from 4.1% to 4%.

Money market fed funds rate futures are pricing in 39 basis points of easing by the Federal Reserve in 2025.

XAU/USD technical outlook: Gold prices set to challenge $2,900

Gold’s trend is up yet bulls have failed to clear the $2,900 figure. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is in overbought territory, while XAU/USD’s price action shows signs of exhaustion.

If Gold drops below $2,800, the next support would be the psychological $2,750 area, followed by the January 27 swing low of $2,730. Conversely, if the yellow metal rises above $2,900, the next key resistance would be the psychological $2,950, followed by $3,000.

Source: FXSTREET

Silver's price retreats after hitting a weekly high of $32.64 and drops below the psychological figure of $32.00 after the release of mixed US jobs data. The jump in US Treasury bond yields and Greenback’s remaining bid were headwinds for the grey metal. Therefore, Silver (XAG/USD) trades at $31.82, with losses of over 1%.

XAG/USD Price Analysis: Technical outlook

Despite reaching a two-month high, XAG/USD seems poised to consolidate around $31.00 - $32.60 unless buyers drive prices above $33.00 a troy ounce. Momentum has shifted bearish in the short-term, as portrayed by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), but buyers are in charge as the RSI remains above its neutral line.

XAG/USD needs to surpass $33.00 for an extension of the uptrend. A breach of that level could propel prices to test the October 29 swing high of $34.54, ahead of challenging last year’s peak at $34.86.

On the flip side, a further downside is seen below the 100-day SMA at $31.10, followed by the $31.00 figure. Once those levels are cleared, the next support would be the 50-day SMA at $30.47, followed by the 200-day SMA at $30.27

XAG/USD Price Chart – Daily

Source: FXSTREET