Staying on top of the latest currency news can help you time your transfers more effectively, so find out what you should be looking out for over the next couple of weeks…

The name bitcoin is derived from the term cryptography. It was created in 2009 with the intention of improving on the existing peer-to Peer technology (P2P) networks like the Internet and WAN networks by making them more secure and private while reducing fees. Due to its unique features, it was received well by most people and businesses around the world. 

The dollar was much stronger this morning, benefiting from the release of strong retail sales, while sterling climbed after a hot inflation release pointed to a December Bank of England interest rate hike.

The GBP was under great pressure last week leading on from the Bank of England’s decision to keep interest rates on hold the previous week. The prior weeks before the decision, Sterling had gained on strong market expectations of an interest rate hike which have now been clawed back.

Sterling edged lower this morning as Britain and the European Union looked far from finding a post-Brexit agreement trade on Northern Ireland, while Bank of England interest rate raise bets ebbed.

Wednesday saw the eagerly awaited Fed Reserve meeting centred around Tapering, when would it start and by how much? All the speculation over the last week had pointed towards a tapering plan to begin the reduced asset purchases by $15b p/month.

Portugal offers new residents a range of special tax benefits under the non-habitual residency (NHR) scheme. You may have considered moving to Portugal for a change of lifestyle, but Britons moving to Portugal can also enjoy ten years of tax advantages.

November has opened trading with the GBP having retraced gains from an incredibly strong month. Investors and traders priced in an interest rate hike from the Bank of England this side of the new year in the last 2 weeks of trading.