In his own reddit AskMeEverything page,
https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/80ow6w/im_bill_gates_cochair_of_the_bill_melinda_gates/He answers about cryptocurrency stating
The main feature of crypto currencies is their anonymity. I don't think this is a good thing. The Governments ability to find money laundering and tax evasion and terrorist funding is a good thing. Right now crypto currencies are used for buying fentanyl and other drugs so it is a rare technology that has caused deaths in a fairly direct way. I think the speculative wave around ICOs and crypto currencies is super risky for those who go long.
He isn't wrong in his sense, if the cryptocurrency is to have a future, they should be able to create an environment of trust between themselves and the authorities.
I think Bill Gates opinion are spot on and the need for regulation in crypto is pivotal.. I will also like to say his knowledge of cryptocurrencies must be quite limited for him to conclude anonymity is the central concept of crypto