Now, it seems others here know much more about the subject than I do. I'm just a Newbie for that matter, but .. This topic got my attention, and your posting made me wonder about the next.

Now, I don't know that much about the topic (yet), but - and I can only speak of my own experience - in my opinion it already does.

I signed up an account at Mt. Gox for I wanted to experience the buying of some BTC. And shortly after that I read all kinds of disturbing news about Mt. Gox and that people are starting to wandering if it is all a scam. Now, after that I have put my original plans on a hold. I decided to first get more information about the subject, and then - in time, some months or so maybe - buy some BTC and trade them/buy products with it.
So, I guess I am one of those newcomers, that - because of this news - hesitate now. And I can only guess it keeps much more people away. I can imagine that this is not a good development for companies that wholy or partly rely on doing their business with BTC.

Could it be that that is exactly what banks/governments are trying to do with their regulation-efforts?? Or is that a stupid question?