Gold futures rose in American trade as the dollar index gave up ground, following earlier data from the US, the world's largest economy, while Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic is due to speak about the economy at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, in Alabama.

As of 02:10 GMT, gold futures due on June 15 rose 0.25% to $1,351.30 an ounce from the opening of $1,347.90, while the dollar index declined 0.42% to 89.43 from the opening of 89.80. 

Earlier US data showed retail sales rose 0.6% in March, compared to a 0.1% dip in February, and beating expectations of a 0.4% rise, while core sales rose 0.2% in line with expectations. 

The Empire State Manufacturing Index slowed down to 15.8 in April from 22.5 in March, missing expectations of 14.9, while business inventories rose 0.6% as expected in February, as the NAHB Housing Market Index inched down to 69 from 70 in March, missing forecasts of 71. 

US President Donald Trump accused both Russia and China of engaging in a ploy to drive the value of their currencies lower as the US hikes interest rates, calling it "unacceptable".

Geopolitical tensions on Syria eased after President Trump announced "Mission Accomplished" following the US-led strikes on Bashar Al Assad's military establishment, indicating to intention to carry on the campaign against the Syrian Army. 

Gold holdings at SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed investment fund, settled on Friday at 865.89 tonnes, the highest since June 8, 2017, after rising 3%, or 23.63 tonnes in 2017, while gold prices rose 13% last year, the second yearly rise in a row.

Palladium prices rose nearly two percent in American trade away from August 16, 2017 lows, while the dollar dipped for the first time in three sessions, following earlier data from the US, the world's largest economy, while Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic is due to speak about the economy at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, in Alabama.

As of 01:48 GMT, palladium rose 1.60% to $1,004.20 an ounce from the opening of $988.36, marking early March highs, while the dollar index dipped 0.44% to 89.40 from the opening of 89.80. 

Earlier US data showed retail sales rose 0.6% in March, compared to a 0.1% dip in February, and beating expectations of a 0.4% rise, while core sales rose 0.2% in line with expectations. 

The Empire State Manufacturing Index slowed down to 15.8 in April from 22.5 in March, missing expectations of 14.9. 

Palladium, a precious metal 20 times rarer than gold, is now recovering on short-covering after a slump away from record highs hit in mid-January at $1,140 an ounce, with Russia and South Africa providing 75% of global palladium supplies. 

Ethereum fell over 4% on Monday on track for the first loss in seven sessions on profit-taking after hitting four-week highs earlier. 

At Bitstamp, ethereum fell $23, or 4.3% to $511 from the opening of $534, with an intraday low at $504, and the highest since March 24 at $537. 

Ethereum jumped 6.2% on Sunday, the sixth profit in a row as most cryptocurrencies gained ground in the weekend. 

Ethereum closed up 33.5% last week, the first weekly profit in a month and a half, and the largest since the first week of 2018. 

Market value of cryptocurrencies fell $12 billion on Monday to $322 billion aafter hitting $339 billion earlier today, the highest since March 24. 

The market value recouped over $55 billion last week as short traders close positions to collect profits, while new liquidity enter the markets. 

Bloomberg reported that US "Soros Fund Management", which currently manages $26 billion of financial assets, will invest in cryptocurrencies.

Adam Fischer, the head of global investment at Soros Fund Management has already gotten internal approval to invest in the new cryptocurrency and blockchain technology sector, according to Bloomberg. 

Bancor Network allowed the purchase of ethereum on its platform through credit cards, in a step towards allowing the purchase of other cryptocurrencies through credit. 

Bitcoin fell on Monday at the open on profit-taking after hitting three-week highs earlier, with losses curbed by the $8000 support. 

At Bitstamp, bitcoin fell $243, or 2.9% to $8,110 from the opening of $8,353, with an intraday low at $8,001, and the highest since March 26 at $8,425. 

Bitcoin rose 4.4% on Sunday, the second profit in a row, amid improved investment demand in the weekend. 

Bitcoin rallied 19% last week, the first weekly profit in a month and a half and the largest since February. 

Market value of cryptocurrencies fell $12 billion to a total of $322 billion, after hitting $339 billion earlier today, the highest since March 24. 

The market value recouped over $55 billion last week as short traders close positions to collect profits, while new liquidity enter the markets. 

Bloomberg reported that US "Soros Fund Management", which currently manages $26 billion of financial assets, will invest in cryptocurrencies.

Adam Fischer, the head of global investment at Soros Fund Management has already gotten internal approval to invest in the new cryptocurrency and blockchain technology sector, according to Bloomberg. 

In South Korea, authorities will launch an investigation on three local banks for their anti-money laundry measures, which were mandated recently for all banks that operate cryptocurrency accounts.