Bitcoin Surges as Market Sentiment Improves, Altcoins Face Exploit Fears

Tuesday's crypto market is exhibiting resilience, with bitcoin (BTC) reaching $78,069.13, marking a 1% increase since midnight UTC. A price surge to $77,000 at 9:45 a.m. was met with selling pressure, likely due to investors protecting against a potential breakout above Friday's $78,300 high. Ether (ETH) trailed behind, with a 0.3% gain to $2,320, as caution persists around altcoins following the $290 million KelpDAO exploit. The ongoing conflict in Iran continues to influence price action, with the US vice president's upcoming visit to Pakistan for peace talks potentially leading to lower oil prices and a boost to risk assets. US stock index futures have risen, indicating a return to risk-on sentiment. Factors such as derivatives positioning and market trends are also being closely watched.