It's about time, considering that market manipulation on cryptos is like the norms of today, and if people are really serious in getting this thing to the next level, they should realize that bitcoin--and cryptocurrencies in general--should mature. Regulations IMO are not as bad as what other people portray them to be. If the right regulations were placed in a given market, it will flourish and attract more people into it.
They're too afraid about the regulations that it might remove what was the purpose of BTC to give anonymity. But in reality all of the actions from the government was I think to protect the people. As you said, this regulations is needed for the cryptocurrency to level-up.
Despite the position or your position, I think they are particularly talking about regulating the icos. That is the new comers coins that most times are not keeping to the promise made while some will never distribute rewards but disappear.