This. It also didn't help that SBF made a mockery of the SEC, right under their noses. Him and Gensler were having meetings and I'm pretty sure SBF testified in front of congress on how to regulate crypto markets a few months before the blow up lmaoI think you are correct - that is the issue. I dont believe that they realized, at the onset, the amount of funds that would leave the traditional banking system to crypto markets. Now they are trying to use hard handed tactics to get rid of these organizations, who we have to give some credit to for revolutionizing the payment and transaction space, and start they own CBDC and establish greater control, for themselves - again.
Anyhow, looks like Blackrock and Fidelity are looking to file for a Bitcoin ETF, something no other "crypto" institution has been able to achieve. I wonder what the implications are for Bitcoins price? Interesting year ahead....