Indonesia’s exports in September grew by 11.41%, exceeding expectations of a 7.72% increase. This shows a stronger performance than expected. In the broader market, the Australian Dollar is gaining strength due to a cautious outlook from the Reserve Bank of Australia. Meanwhile, the Japanese Yen is at a multi-month low against the US Dollar due to uncertainties with the Bank of Japan.

Gold Prices Surge

Gold prices are climbing above $4,000, driven by increased demand for safety following recent political comments. The possibility that the US Federal Reserve may not cut rates in December adds extra support for the US Dollar. Meme coins like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe are facing declines as interest from big investors fades. Cardano’s price has fallen below $0.58 due to a drop in on-chain activity and rising short positions. In currency markets, EUR/USD is trading around 1.1530, as speculation about a Fed rate cut decreases. Similarly, GBP/USD remains below the mid-1.3100s amid a bearish economic trend.

US Dollar Strength Continues

The US Dollar maintains its strength as hopes for a Federal Reserve rate cut in December 2025 fade. With the Fed Funds Rate staying above 6.0% since the third quarter, the Dollar Index (DXY) is reaching highs not seen since the inflation scare of 2022. Derivative traders might benefit from this strength by buying puts on EUR/USD, which is struggling below 1.1550. The flight to safety is clear as gold prices rise beyond the $4,000 mark, a historically crucial level. Despite a strong dollar usually putting pressure on gold, geopolitical uncertainty is fueling this demand, with open interest in COMEX gold futures up by 15% in October 2025 alone. Traders could consider buying call options on gold to take advantage of further gains while minimizing risks from sudden market changes. We should note the strength in some emerging markets, like Indonesia’s export growth of 11.41%. This trend of positive trade surplus data for Indonesia has continued throughout 2025, averaging over $4 billion per month according to recent government stats. This could offer opportunities for relative value trades, such as going long on the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) against currencies with weaker central banks. The current scenario is tough for speculative assets, with notable drops in meme coins and altcoins like Cardano. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has fallen into “Extreme Fear,” a level it hasn’t seen for this long since the large correction in early 2024. For those involved, purchasing protective puts on crypto-related ETFs or shorting futures on volatile assets could be a wise strategy. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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