Sweden’s trade balance increased from 1.5 billion to 11.6 billion in November, showing a significant rise in trade surplus for the month. Silver prices have dipped, while EUR/USD stays flat near yearly highs due to quiet trading. Meanwhile, WTI is stable around $57.50 amid worries about supply.

GBP and Cryptocurrency Market Trends

GBP/USD remains steady around 1.3500, supported by a weaker US Dollar. Gold prices have decreased from their record high as traders take profits. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP are up about 3%, with Bitcoin gaining traction despite low holiday trading activity. The outlook for these cryptocurrencies is becoming more positive as selling pressure eases. Looking forward, advanced economies may perform well in 2026. This forecast is based on positive factors from 2025 continuing into 2026. Avalanche is trading near $12 after dropping almost 2% the previous day. This follows Grayscale’s filing to convert its Avalanche-focused trust into an ETF with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Sweden’s trade surplus surged to 11.6 billion SEK in November, suggesting strong export performance. This comes as Sweden’s Riksbank decided to keep interest rates steady, unlike other central banks that have adopted a more dovish stance. Derivative traders might interpret this as a signal to favor the Swedish Krona, perhaps by buying SEK calls against the Euro for the next quarter.

Currency and Commodity Markets in Focus

Overall, the US Dollar is weaker, keeping pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD near recent highs around 1.1800 and 1.3500 respectively, amid thin holiday trading. US inflation data has softened throughout the last quarter of 2025, raising speculation that the Federal Reserve might announce rate cuts by mid-2026. This scenario favors strategies that benefit from further dollar weakness, such as selling near-term USD call options against a basket of major currencies. Gold pauses after hitting a record high near $4,550, driven by ongoing inflation and geopolitical uncertainty throughout 2025. This pullback seems to be profit-taking, but the support factors for the metal remain in place. Any persistent inflation signals from January data could make buying call options on this dip an attractive trade for those expecting another rise. A clear return to risk appetite is evident in crypto markets, with Bitcoin and Ethereum rising on news of potential de-escalation between Russia and Ukraine. The total digital asset market capitalization has recovered over 20% from the lows seen in October 2025. This momentum indicates that traders might use the current low liquidity to establish long positions through futures or options before the new year. On the other hand, WTI crude is steady near $57.50, reflecting a delicate balance between supply concerns and easing global demand. Remembering the energy price volatility of 2024, this current stability could be a chance to set up for future price movements. Buying long-dated straddles could be a wise strategy, profiting from significant price shifts in either direction once holiday trading concludes. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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