What is unclear to me is whether they are talking about regulating the exchanges or regulating every single individual who uses an exchange. Seems uncomfortably vague to me. What happens if every Joe who trades a single bitcoin for cash becomes "an agent"?
I freely admit that I'm not well-versed in financial legalities, so enlightenment is welcome...
Fidgets, Unfortunately that is currently the case. Every Joe who trades a bitcoin for cash become a MSB that is probably required to get a MT license in every State in which he has clients.
So what started out as a hobby or small business just turned into a $7M venture.
It has been discussed here and other places, that bitcoiners need to come together and engage policy makers. I've heard this is happening with a group in Washington and I know that Bitcoin Foundation (Peter Vannesses's club) is making overtures in that area, however I've yet to hear or read any official info.
Gavin and Patrick Murick( attorney for Bitcoin Foundation) spoke at a panel in Washington last week.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/17/can-bitcoin-make-peace-with-washington/