Investing.com - The euro slumped in early Asia on Monday as investors braced for volatile trade on the dramatic collapse of negotiations between Greece and its creditors that led to a freeze on banking services and a surprise interest rate cut from the People's Bank of China at the weekend.
EUR/USD traded at 1.1007, down 1.41%, while USD/JPY changed hands at 122.36, down 1.20%. AUD/USD changed hands at 0.7634, down 0.31%.
Greece's banks and stock exchange are expected to remain closed throughout the week following a recommendation from the country's Financial Stability Council late Sunday, according to reports.
The move came just hours after the European Central Bank froze Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) support to the country's banks at levels agreed on June 26 - a figure estimated to be around €90 billion.
"The Governing Council is closely monitoring the situation in financial markets and the potential implications for the monetary policy stance and for the balance of risks to price stability in the euro area," the ECB said in a statement. "The Governing Council is determined to use all the instruments available within its mandate."
At the weekend, Greece's parliament approved a move put forth by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras for a national referendum that will decide the fate of the country's bailout negotiations on July 5.
The poll effectively ended stalled talks in Brussels and likely ensures that Greece will be unable to make a "bundled" €1.55 billion payment to the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday - the same day its current (extended) bailout program expires.
Ahead, Japan reports industrial production with a drop of 0.8% expected month-on-month in May, as well as retail sales, with a 2.3% gain seen in May year-on-year.
The U.S. Dollar Index, which measures the strength of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was up 0.83% to 96.40.
At the weekend, the People's Bank of China cut interest rates and its deposit rate to 4.85% and the deposit rate to 2% respectively from Sunday.
The PBoC also announced that it will cut the reserve requirement ratios (RRR) by 50 basis points for commercial banks serving rural areas, agriculture and small businesses.
The PBoC has now cut interest rates four times since November and this year also reduced the amount of cash banks must keep in reserve three times, as well as using other measures to inject liquidity into the market.
Last week, the euro was broadly lower against the other major currencies on Friday as concerns over the risk of a Greek default weighed as negotiations between Greece and its creditors continued.
Greece is due to repay €1.6 billion to the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday but without a rescue package in place it is unclear if the payment can be met.
If Greece misses the payment it risks going into default, which could trigger the country’s exit from the euro area.
In the U.S., data on Friday showed that consumer sentiment jumped higher this month, bolstering the outlook for higher interest rates.
The final reading of the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index rose to 96.1 from 90.7 in May and up from the preliminary reading of 94.6.
In the week ahead, investors will focus on thea referendum to be held on July 5 on the terms proposed by lenders for extending the country’s bailout program.
European finance ministers refused to extend Greece’s bailout beyond Tuesday, despite Greek requests to extend the program until after the referendum.
Market participants will also be looking ahead to the latest U.S. employment report, due for release one day ahead of schedule on Thursday, for signs of improvement in the labor market, which the Federal Reserve has said is a key factor in deciding when to start hiking interest rates.
In the euro zone, Germany and Spain are to release preliminary data on consumer inflation. The U.K. is to publish data on net private lending.
Later Monday, the U.S. is to publish a report on pending home sales.