My understanding is that the original motivation behind BTC and crypto was avoiding the centralized authority behind the USD and other fiat currencies. Early a

My understanding is that the original motivation behind BTC and crypto was avoiding the centralized authority behind the USD and other fiat currencies. Early adopters didn't like that the USD was influenced/controlled by one central entity, especially in the days of the 2008 financial crisis, when BTC was created. I can't speak for all of crypto, but BTC's motivations didn't seem to revolve around "opposing all legislation", in some pursuit of anarcho-capitalism, but rather opposing currencies that are controlled/influenced by one central entity. But to your original point, yes the most likely way that the scammers will be flushed out of the system is through regulation, just like all the other wild west phases of industries/concepts.