The European Central Bank released at 11:45 GMT, its monetary policy statement at the close of its meeting, which showed a 10bp cut in deposit rates to minus 0.5%, in line with forecasts.

The bank also announced a new bond-buying program of about 20 billion euros per month, whenever necessary for the European economy, while the bank's Chairman, Mario Draghi, will comment on the program in his speech later today.

The European Central Bank released at 11:45 GMT, its rate decision at the end of the September 12th meeting, as the bank kept the interest rates at 0.00%, unchenger from the previous and in line with forecasts.

European stocks opened higher today, continuing their rise for the third session to a 7-week high, amid continues positive signs on the easing of the US-China trade war, and ahead of the ECB monetary policy decisions after its meeting.

As of 10:22 GMT, stoxx Europe 600 Index rose by 0.4%, to the highest level since July 25th, while the index closed higher by 0.8% yesterday, on the banking sector's gains, as the market's concerns over the trade was eased. 

The index opened higher today, to extend its gains for the third consecutive session to a 7-week high, with most of the European markets and sectors surging.

The mining and core resources sector led the market up, with a rise of 0.6%, on higher copper and most industrial metals prices.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a two-week delay in import tariffs on Chinese imports worth $ 250 billion from 25 percent to 30 percent from October 1.

US President Trump in a good will gesture announced the delaying of the $250 billion tariffs increase on Chinese imports for nearly two weeks, until October 15th.

While the market interpreted this move as the latest sign on the easing of the US-China trade war after the announcement of a new round of trade talks in Washington in first of October.

Which comes after the Chinese Ministry of Finance announced on Wednesday that 16 US products would be exempted from 25% tariffs that were imposed since last year on animal food and oil products, with a 1-year exemption from September 17th.

Meanwhile, the European market's gains remain limited, as investors wait for the outcome of the ECB meeting, which is expected to see an interest rate cut for the first time since 2016.

The ECB will end its meeting today, and the rate decision and monetary policy statement will be released by 11:45 GMT, and Draghi's speech will be at 12:30 GMT.

S&P 500 futures rose by 0.4%, to a 6-week high ahead of Wall Street opening.

Euro Stoxx 50 index rose by 0.2%, in France the CAC 40 rose by 0.1%, while Germany's DAX rose by 0.2%, and in London, the FTSE 100 rose by 0.1%.

Bitcoin fell in spot trading today, continuing its losses that were stopped yesterday in rebound attempts from a 1-week low, while it held above the $10,000 barrier today, but demand demand is still weak as the market needs new catalyst.

As of 8:25 GMT, at Bitstamp, Bitcoin fell by $53 or 0.5% to $10,110, from the opening of $10,163, with a high of $10,207 and a low of $10,027

Bitcoin rose by 0.6% yesterday, its first gain in 4 days, after earlier it slumped to 1-week low at $9,855. 

The total market cap of cryptocurrencies fell by $2 billion today, to $259 billion, with most of the major cryptos falling led by Bitcoin.

This drop in Bitcoin prices despite holding above the $10,000 barrier, is due to demand remaining weak as the market needs new catalyst to increase liquidity and attract new investors.

Otherwise, the ongoing US-China trade war is raising fears of economic recession, which was clear in a poll made by "eToro" which showed that 40% of millennials will start to invest in the crypto market, in case of a recession.

Whilst the two generations prior to the millennials are not confident in the crypto industry and chose real estate and commodities as their preferred investments.

On the other hand, the official launch of the Bakkt Bitcoin futures platform is under preparations, which will start on September 23rd.

While the market participants are not very optimistic before the official launch compared to the launch of the CME Bitcoin futures trading platform in December 2017, the crypto market rose strongly, and Bitcoin hit an all-time high near $20,000.

Market's experts see that after the official launch of Bakkt both bulls and bears will try to prove their superiority, which will lead to increased volatility in prices.