Here is what you need to know on Monday, September 21: The US dollar remained on the defensive starting out a fresh week this Monday, extending last week’s softness, courtesy of the gridlock on the US fiscal stimulus. The US lawmakers are still nowhere near agreeing on new relief aid, which could likely thwart the nascent economic recovery. The greenback failed to benefit from the risk-off market mood amid renewed US-China tensions. Trump administration ordered to ban WeChat and TikTok application from the states, although the curbs were put on hold by a judge. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump approved Oracle Corp.’s bid for the US operations of TikTok “in concept.” Asian equities tracked Wall Street lower, with Japanese markets closed on a public holiday. Investors weighed in China ratcheting up the risk of military confrontation in the Taiwan Strait, as Sino-American row over Taipei escalates. AUD/USD was the top gainer in Asia and regained 0.7300, helped by the upbeat comments from Australian Prime Minister (PM) Scott Morrison. He predicts a job bounce-back as Victoria prepares to reopen. The kiwi also followed suit and headed back towards 0.6800 after NZ PM Ardern lowered the country-wide alert outside Auckland to level 1. The yen advanced on broad risk-aversion against the US dollar, with USD/JPY downed to near two-month lows of 104.26. EUR/USD jumped back onto 1.1850, with the 1.1900 level back in sight, as the common currency shrugged-off concerns over the coronavirus resurgence in Europe. Fresh restrictions were imposed in Greece and Denmark last Friday. Spain and France mulled local lockdowns amid a spike in infections. Among other news, the European Central Bank (ECB) launched a review of its pandemic bond-buying program (PEPP), as cited by the Financial Times (FT). GBP/USD stood resilient above 1.2950, despite the increasing odds of a nationwide lockdown in the UK. Health Minister Hancock said that the country is at a “tipping point.” Chancellor Sunak may extend business support loans. Optimism over a Brexit deal, courtesy of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s upbeat comments, continued to bode well for the pound. Gold traded on the front foot above $1950 amid the dollar weakness, ahead of the Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s speech. Oil prices returned to the red despite the US storm-led production halt. WTI posted small losses to test the $41 mark. Cryptocurrencies’ traded modestly flat, with Bitcoin probing the $11K level. FX Street FX Street FXStreet is the leading independent portal dedicated to the Foreign Exchange (Forex) market. It was launched in 2000 and the portal has always been proud of their unyielding commitment to provide objective and unbiased information, to enable their users to take better and more confident decisions. View All Post By FX Street FXStreet News share Read Next Germany’s Spahn: Coronavirus situation is worrying but can cope with current cases FX Street 2 years Here is what you need to know on Monday, September 21: The US dollar remained on the defensive starting out a fresh week this Monday, extending last week’s softness, courtesy of the gridlock on the US fiscal stimulus. The US lawmakers are still nowhere near agreeing on new relief aid, which could likely thwart the nascent economic recovery. The greenback failed to benefit from the risk-off market mood amid renewed US-China tensions. Trump administration ordered to ban WeChat and TikTok application from the states, although the curbs were put on hold by a judge. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump approved Oracle Corp.’s bid for… Regulated Forex Brokers All Brokers Sponsored Brokers Broker Benefits Min Deposit Score Visit Broker 1 $100T&Cs Apply 0% Commission and No stamp DutyRegulated by US,UK & International StockCopy Successfull Traders 9.8 Visit Site FreeBets Reviews$100Your capital is at risk. 2 T&Cs Apply 9.8 Visit Site FreeBets Reviews$100Your capital is at risk. 3 Recommended Broker $100T&Cs Apply No deposit or withdrawal feesTrade major forex pairs such as EUR/USD with leverage up to 30:1 and tight spreads of 0.9 pips Low $100 minimum deposit to open a trading account 9 Visit Site FreeBets ReviewsYour capital is at risk. 4 T&Cs Apply Visit Site FreeBets ReviewsYour capital is at risk. 5 Recommended Broker $0T&Cs Apply Trade gold, silver, and platinum directly against major currenciesUp to 1:500 leverage for forex trading24/5 customer service by phone and email 9 Visit Site FreeBets ReviewsYour capital is at risk.