This is Mt. Gox getting thrown to the wolves. I think there is a constant undercurrent of fear, and rightly so, in the bitcoin community that regulation will mean the end of bitcoin. Also, for those who are speculating heavily on BTC, anything that undermines confidence is a direct threat to their holdings. So here we have a potential massive fraud (or fear-compounded incompetence) and publicity discussing fundamental security flaws with the BTC system. A double threat. It's a perfect rationaly-self-interested reaction to try to distance ones self from threats as quickly and thoroughly as possible, but I can't bring myself to think of this as anywhere near altruistic or civic minded.