By the Investfora Research Desk — written to our editorial standards; every stated fact links to its source.
Markets today 2026-08-21: US Treasury yields increase, cryptocurrencies advance, and ECB currency reference rates adjust
A daily overview of US Treasury yield curve movements, cryptocurrency spot prices, and European Central Bank foreign exchange reference rates for 21 August 2026.
Markets today 2026-08-21: US Treasury yields increase, cryptocurrencies advance, and ECB currency reference rates adjust
US Treasury yield curve
The US Treasury par yield curve for 21 August 2026 rose across key maturities. The two-year yield stood at 4.24%, up five basis points (US Treasury). The ten-year reached 4.74%, also up five basis points (US Treasury). The thirty-year yield was 5.27%, a four-basis-point increase (US Treasury). All three benchmarks moved higher in parallel, with short and intermediate tenors advancing equally while the long end rose slightly less.
Major foreign exchange reference rates
The ECB's reference rates for 21 August 2026 show the euro at 1.1699 versus the dollar, up 0.15% (ECB). Sterling stood at 1.3656, gaining 0.22% (ECB). The dollar fetched 158.7 yen, down 0.04% (ECB). The euro traded at 0.8567 per pound, down 0.06% (ECB). Against the Swiss franc, the dollar was 0.7995, up 0.06% (ECB). The Australian dollar rose 0.87% to 0.7168 versus the dollar (ECB). The dollar weakened 0.22% to 1.374 Canadian dollars (ECB). The New Zealand dollar advanced 0.75% to 0.5987 against its US counterpart (ECB).
Photo: AlphaTradeZone via Pexels.
Cross-currency and regional exchange rates
The ECB's reference rates for 21 August 2026 showed mixed moves across major crosses. The euro strengthened versus the yen, with EUR/JPY fixed at 185.66, up 0.11% (ECB). Sterling also advanced against the yen, GBP/JPY at 216.72, up 0.18% (ECB). Against the Swiss franc, the euro rose 0.21% to 0.9353 (ECB). In emerging markets, the dollar weakened versus the rand, USD/ZAR falling 1.05% to 16.004 (ECB), and declined 0.3% against the Singapore dollar to 1.2683 (ECB). The euro slipped 0.25% versus the zloty to 4.3078 (ECB).
Cryptocurrency spot prices
Bitcoin traded at $78,497 on CoinGecko, up 7.76% in 24 hours (CoinGecko). Ether was quoted at $2,519.71, up 8.68% over the same period (CoinGecko). Both assets posted positive 24-hour changes, with Ether outperforming Bitcoin (CoinGecko). Prices and movements reflect CoinGecko data at observation time, showing change versus the corresponding point 24 hours earlier (CoinGecko).
Photo: AlphaTradeZone via Pexels.
Frequently asked questions
What were the US Treasury yields on 21 August 2026?
The two-year yield was 4.24%, the ten-year 4.74%, and the thirty-year 5.27%, all up 4-5 basis points.
How did major currencies move against the dollar per ECB reference rates?
The euro rose 0.15% to 1.1699, sterling gained 0.22% to 1.3656, while the dollar fell 0.04% to 158.7 yen.
What were the cryptocurrency price changes on 21 August 2026?
Bitcoin rose 7.76% to $78,497 and Ether increased 8.68% to $2,519.71 over 24 hours.
How did emerging market currencies perform against the dollar?
The dollar weakened 1.05% versus the rand to 16.004 and fell 0.3% against the Singapore dollar to 1.2683.
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