Gold eased to around $3,350 after Trump exempted gold from tariffs, reversing concerns over higher import costs from Switzerland. The move, paired with a 90-day extension of the China trade truce, helped ease global tensions ahead of his planned meeting with Putin.

Bitcoin traded at $118,904, edging up 0.14% on August 12. While nearly flat over the past month, it remains up almost 97% year-on-year. Forecasts suggest a pullback toward $112,337 by quarter-end and $100,005 within a year.

The yen fluctuated in early European trading, balancing between mixed economic signals and contrasting BoJ–Fed policy paths. Risk-on sentiment and uncertainty over BoJ rate hikes limited safe-haven demand but prevented heavy selling.

Brent rose to $66.7, extending gains after Trump prolonged the China tariff truce by 90 days. The decision eased trade tensions that threaten demand, while attention shifted to upcoming U.S.–Russia talks on Ukraine, with expectations kept modest.

The US 100 Tech Index slipped 0.36% to 23,560, extending a four-week decline of 3.08%, though still up nearly 24% year-on-year. Analysts see further softening toward 23,174 by quarter-end.

The offshore yuan stayed near 7.19 as markets awaited the U.S.–China tariff truce outcome. Talks have intensified over chip policy, with Nvidia and AMD reportedly agreeing to share China revenues for export licenses, while Beijing seeks relief on AI chip curbs.

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