Euro rose in European trade against dollar on track for the first profit in three days as risk appetite improves in the market with efforts intensifying to fix the Ukrainian crisis diplomatically. 

EUR/USD rose 0.5% to 1.1377, with an intraday low at 1.1312, after closing down 0.3% on Friday, the second loss in a row on risk aversion.

Euro fell 0.2% last week against dollar, the second weekly loss in a row on mounting geopolitical tensions in eastern Europe. 

French President Emanuel Macron and his Russian and US counterparts agreed in principle to hold a summit on the Ukrainian crisis, but such a meeting would be impossible if an invasion took place.

Global efforts to fix the crisis diplomatically are still ongoing to avoid a flareup of militaristic combat in that zone.

Later today, European data on the manufacturing, services and other will be released for February.

The data will offer more clues on the economic improvement and growth rate in the euro zone during the first quarter of the year.

US stock indices rose on Friday even amid constant concerns about potential conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Even after Russia announced pulling some troops away from Ukrainian borders to their bases, the west remains highly suspicious of Russian intents. 

The Russian government started to expel US diplomats in a sign of strained relations, with the US warning that Russian troops concentrations on the Ukrainian border are nearing 200 thousand. 

Ukrainian president asserted his country will defend itself against a possible Russian attack, while London announced strong diplomatic and defensive support of Kiev. 

Dow Jones rose 0.1% to 34,351, while S&P 500 rose 0.2% to 4,391, as NASDAQ gained 0.1% to 13,735. 

Bitcoin declined on Friday for the third straight session on track to hit two-week lows hit yesterday, as investors shun risks amid surging Ukraine-Russia tensions. 

At Bitstamp, Bitcoin fell $419.88, or 1.1% to $40,112, with an intraday high at $40,996, after closing down 7.5% yesterday, the largest loss since January 21, marking two-week lows at $40,088.

Crypto market value fell by about $15 billion today to a total of $1.83 billion, as Russia-Ukraine borders decline sharply with Russia expelling US diplomats, while US threatened sanctions if Russia invaded Ukraine. 

The US accused Russia this week of adding 7000 soldiers to the 150 thousand soldiers already staying at the Ukrainian borders.

Russia on the other hand accused Ukrainian rebels of attacking Russian disputed land with mortars in breach of the settlement agreement. 

The crypto market is also pressured by concerns about the US legal decision on the cypto market next week, with Russia expected to impose new rules as well before year's end.

Gold prices fell in European trade on active profit-taking after surging through $1900 for the first time in eight months, amid spiking geopolitical tensions around Ukraine. 

Gold prices fell 0.5% to $1,888 an ounce, after marking an intraday high at $1,902, the highest since June 2021.

Gold prices rose 1.5% yesterday, the second profit in a row amid negative developments around the Ukrainian crisis. 

Across this week, gold prices are up 1.8% so far, on track for the third weekly profit in a row on haven demand. 

From Russia, official media said that Ukrainian insurgents attacked Russian land with direct support from the official Ukrainian government.

The move could flare up the situation and trigger a broad military conflict, with Russia already amassing over 100 thousand soldiers on the borders.

The US warned from a manufactured incident by Russia as a pretext to invade Ukraine, with Germany warning from heavy sanctions if such an attack took place.

Gold holdings at the SPDR Gold Trust remained unchanged yesterday for the fourth day in a row at $1,019 a tonne, the highest since August 16.