Crypto today: Daily price swings, DeFi shifts and regulatory headlines

Crypto today: Key price moves and regulatory flashpoints

The market opened flat but quickly diverged as Bitcoin slipped ↓ 1.4% while Ether rallied ↑ 2.7%. Analysts at Reuters flagged heightened volatility after the U.S. Treasury signaled tighter AML scrutiny, a development echoed by Bloomberg. In DeFi, total value locked contracted ↓ 3.2% amid renewed concerns over smart‑contract exploits. Meanwhile, Web3 startups announced a collective $150 million funding round, suggesting capital appetite remains resilient despite regulatory headwinds.

“The sector is at a crossroads where compliance meets innovation,” said a senior partner at a leading crypto‑focused VC.

Analysis by Lyra Valance (Digital Assets & Web3 Insider).