The European Central Bank cut interest rates on Thursday and kept the door open to further policy easing as concerns over lacklustre economic growth supersede worries about persistent inflation. Following are highlights of ECB President Christine Lagarde's comments at a news conference after the policy meeting.

During the press conference, ECB President Christine Lagarde indicated that the central bank's macro assessment had hardly changed from its December meeting. The ECB still sees the disinflationary process on track and expects a pick up in demand, though it acknowledges the near-term weakness of the eurozone economy.

The Bitcoin price posted a slight loss after the ECB President said BTC will not enter the bank’s reserves and this ICO heads for $9 million.

Against this backdrop, the ECB’s communication in the policy statement and President Lagarde’s comments will hold the key to determining the scope and timing of the next rate cuts as the Bank battles concerns over economic growth and potential tariffs by United States (US) President Donald Trump’s administration.

Speaking at a press conference, ECB President Christine Lagarde suggested “liquid, secure and safe“ standards for central banks likely precluded Bitcoin as a reserve asset.

"If trade tensions don't escalate, exports should support recovery as global demand rises."

The European Central Bank is widely expected to cut interest rates for the fifth time since it began easing monetary policy.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is giving a press conference following the bank’s latest monetary policy decision.

The World Economic Forum's annual gathering of elites in Davos has ended with many business leaders, world-class academics, top government officials and other elites casting an upbeat tone about economic prospects,

The European Central Bank is set to lower interest rates for a fifth meeting as inflation that’s nearing the 2% target lets officials further loosen the shackles on the economy.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said Bulgaria is “well advanced” in the process of meeting the criteria for joining the euro.