Dollar firms amid higher U.S. yields

The dollar firmed on Friday, boosted by higher Treasury yields and a decline in the stock markets. The rise came after the U.S. Federal Reserve dampened speculation for an early interest rate hike. 

The dollar index briefly rose following a 0.5% climb on Thursday, the most in two weeks. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yields hit a more than one-year high of 1.754% overnight before falling to 1.706%. 

The yen fell after the Bank of Japan widened its band for the benchmark yield. Against the dollar, the yen stood at 108.895.

The euro weakened to $1.1915, extending Thursday’s 0.5% decline. The pound lost 0.1% to $1.3913 after falling 0.3% in the last session. 

Elsewhere, Bitcoin traded at $57,800 after briefly hitting $60,000 overnight. It rose to a new record high of $61,781.83 on Saturday.