Dollar edges up on Fed and Ukraine jitters, cryptocurrencies slip

Tensions in Ukraine have been increasing for months after the Kremlin massed troops near its borders, which the West says is preparation for a war to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO

The dollar firmed slightly on Monday with traders nervous about tensions in Ukraine and a possible hawkish tilt by the Federal Reserve at a much-watched meeting this week, while bitcoin lay near a six-month low, a further sign of the "risk off" mood.

The euro lost 0.19% to 1.1319 and the dollar also gained 0.1% on the safe-haven yen with one dollar worth 113.8 per yen, though the Japanese currency was still near its recent top of 113.47.
 

"Markets are largely worrying and waiting, focussing on the FOMC and Russia-Ukraine tensions," said Moh Siong Sim, currency strategist at Bank of Singapore,