The dollar rose broadly while the euro hit a more than two-month low today, pressed by concerns over a recession in Eastern Europe and the knock-on effect on European banks.
The euro dropped as low as $1.2602 today, its lowest since early December on trading platform EBS. By 12.25pm, it was trading at $1.2616, and to 88.5 pence.
However, the single currency pared some losses after data showed a surprise pick up in the German ZEW economic sentiment survey in February.
The greenback rose against the yen after Japan's finance minister said he would resign following criticism of his behaviour at a weekend Group of Seven meeting.
And ongoing concerns over the global economy, banks' balance sheets and corporate results kept investors wary, with European shares down on the day, boosting flows into the dollar, which is currently perceived as a safe-haven currency.
"The main reason for the euro weakness is the worries not only about the European economy but also especially in Eastern Europe where currencies are falling rapidly across the board," said Nordea rate strategist Niels Christensen.
"That's reason to worry about European companies that have some engagement in the region, such as banks which could face further losses."
Credit rating agency Moody's said the recession in emerging Europe was likely to be more severe than elsewhere and would put financial strength ratings of local banks and their Western parents under pressure, fuelling simmering investor jitters about the region.
Moody's said the combination of higher provisions for bad debt, the rise in bank borrowing costs and falling currencies would weigh on the profitability of the banks concerned and erode their capital base.
The euro was down 1.1 per cent at 88.56 pence after data showing British consumer price inflation fell much less than expected in January.