Aussie declines after interest rate decision
Australian dollar fell against most major rivals on Tuesday following an expected decision on interest rates.
Otherwise, the EU imposed new restrictions on Russian banks from using the Swift international payments system and other limitations on the Russian central bank, while closing European airspace against Russian airplanes.
Tensions increased further after Russian President Putin announced putting the nuclear arsenal at the ready in response to the sanctions.
Conversely, Russian President Putin prevented western residents in Russia from transferring money outside, and banned western aeroplanes from Russian air space.
The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to maintain rates at 0.10% unchanged just as expected.
AUD/USD shed 0.1% to 0.7253 as of 17:57 GMT.
Dow Jones declines over 1% as Ukraine conflict intensifies
US stock indices declined as investors follow the developments in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Russia is pushing on its invasion of Ukraine with a long column of military equipment heading straight for Kiev.
Satellite images show armored trucks in a long column towards the Ukrainian capital bur official sources haven't confirmed yet.
Satellite images also show increased military activity in Belorussia, bordering Ukraine, with ground troops and helicopters appearing in the images.
It has been estimated that Belorussia could assist Russia in the invasion of Ukraine but no confirmation yet.
Dow Jones declined 1.1% to 33,523, while S&P 500 shed 0.6%, as NASDAQ tumbles 0.1% to 13,347.
US crude rallies to eight-year peak on worries over Russian supplies disruption
Oil prices widened their gains in American trade for another session, with US crude marking eight-year highs after surpassing $100 anew amid reciprocal sanctions between Russia and the west over the invasion of Ukraine.
US crude rose 5.6% to $101.50 a barrel, the highest since July 2014, while Brent spiked 6.7% to $104.56 a barrel.
US crude spiked 4.25% on Monday, the first profit in three days, while rising over 9.5% across February.
The EU imposed new restrictions on Russian banks from using the Swift international payments system and other limitations on the Russian central bank, while closing European airspace against Russian airplanes.
Tensions increased further after Russian President Putin announced putting the nuclear arsenal at the ready in response to the sanctions.
Conversely, Russian President Putin prevented western residents in Russia from transferring money outside, and banned western aeroplanes from Russian air space.
Bitcoin widens gains to three-week high on Russian demand hopes
Bitcoin rose on Tuesday for another session, hitting three-week highs, on hopes for strong Russian demand on crypto currencies after western financial sanctions on Russia.
At Bitstamp, Bitcoin spiked $1,578, or 3.1% to $44,800, the highest since February 10.
Bitcoin surged 14.5% on Monday, the first profit in three days, and the largest in a year.
Bitcoin rose over 12% last month, the first monthly profit in four months.
Crypto market value spiked $95 billion to a total of $1.75 trillion, the highest since February 17 with most major cryptocurrencies spiking.
The European Commission imposed new sanctions on Russian banks, shutting them out of the Swift global payment system.
The move sparked speculation for increased demand on cryptocurrencies from Russian elites as they seek ways to funnel money out of their country.