By the Investfora Research Desk — written to our editorial standards; every stated fact links to its source.
Currency market 2026-08-17: AUD/USD leads gains in ECB reference fixings
European Central Bank reference rates for 17 August 2026 show AUD/USD rising alongside varied movements across major and regional currency pairs.
Antipodean currencies rise against the US dollar
The Australian dollar advanced against the US dollar in the ECB's 17 August 2026 reference rate fixing. AUD/USD was set at 0.7125, up 0.61 per cent from the 14 August 2026 fixing (ECB reference rates). The New Zealand dollar also strengthened, with NZD/USD fixed at 0.5917, up 0.48 per cent versus the 14 August 2026 fixing (ECB reference rates). The Australian dollar's 0.61 per cent rise exceeded the New Zealand dollar's 0.48 per cent advance over the same period.
European majors and transatlantic rate movements
In the ECB's 17 August 2026 reference rate fixing, EUR/USD was set at 1.1593 (ECB). This was a 0.22 per cent rise from the 14 August 2026 fixing (ECB).
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GBP/USD was fixed at 1.3559 on 17 August 2026 (ECB). This marked a 0.17 per cent increase from the 14 August 2026 rate (ECB).
EUR/GBP reached 0.855 on 17 August 2026 (ECB). The pair rose 0.06 per cent from its 14 August 2026 fixing (ECB).
Japanese yen currency pair fixings
In the ECB's 17 August 2026 reference fixings, USD/JPY was set at 159.23 (ECB). This was a 0.13% increase from the 14 August 2026 fixing (ECB).
The ECB fixed EUR/JPY at 184.59 on 17 August 2026 (ECB). This was up 0.36% from the 14 August 2026 reference rate (ECB).
GBP/JPY was fixed at 215.89 on 17 August 2026 (ECB). The rate rose 0.3% from the 14 August 2026 fixing (ECB).
Swiss franc, Canadian dollar and regional currency pairs
In the ECB's 17 August 2026 reference rate fixings, USD/CHF was set at 0.8099, down 0.23% from the 14 August 2026 fixing (ECB reference rates). EUR/CHF was fixed at 0.9389, down 0.01% from its 14 August 2026 rate (ECB reference rates).
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USD/CAD stood at 1.3859, a 0.11% drop from the 14 August 2026 fixing (ECB reference rates). USD/SGD fixed at 1.2764, down 0.14% versus the fixing on 14 August 2026 (ECB reference rates).
EUR/PLN was recorded at 4.3063, down 0.01% from the 14 August 2026 fixing (ECB reference rates). USD/ZAR rose to 16.177, up 0.07% from its 14 August 2026 fixing (ECB reference rates).
Frequently asked questions
What was the AUD/USD rate in the ECB fixing on 17 August 2026?
AUD/USD was fixed at 0.7125 on 17 August 2026, up 0.61 per cent from the 14 August 2026 fixing.
How did EUR/USD change between 14 and 17 August 2026?
EUR/USD rose 0.22 per cent to 1.1593 in the 17 August 2026 ECB reference fixing compared to 14 August 2026.
What was the USD/JPY fixing on 17 August 2026?
USD/JPY was set at 159.23 on 17 August 2026, a 0.13% increase from the 14 August 2026 fixing.
Which currency pairs showed the largest gains in the 17 August 2026 fixing?
AUD/USD rose 0.61 per cent and NZD/USD rose 0.48 per cent, leading gains among major pairs in the ECB reference fixings.
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