You are right to ask, with all the rhetoric, why are they jumping in? I consider it a defensive move. They are scared and at the same time want to have some control over the situation. I think the powers that be are looking for a kill shot for crypto. If BTC has universal adoption worldwide it will be hard to launch their own federalized crypto to compete. Crypto controlled by the fed would be a dream come true for the government no cash transactions and everything on a ledger attached to social security numbers.
RE: If you can't beat em, join em!