Well, what has changed is we now have CEO's of publically traded companies openly and brazenly participating in crypto-currency pump-n-dump schemes[1] because they are currently unregulated markets.
Now, with major publically traded companies buying up other crypto-currencies, seemingly speculating on their rise in value, we may have a problem that compels some government agency to step in and ensure these organizations are truly acting in shareholder's best interests.
It's not a far stretch to see these events ushering in new crypto regulations.
Elon doesn't have to do anything for a pump and dump to occur - unless Tesla buying somehow becomes considered a pump action; if more gullible people or "amateur investors" buy into Bitcoin driving up the price because of whatever reasons, it's not Elon's responsibility to protect them - that is government and the SEC's role.
Elon's said "Bitcoin is almost as much bs as fiat money" - so he likely doesn't see that as end up. Because of this I could see Tesla selling $1 billion worth of EVs via Bitcoin, waiting for that to reach $10-$20 billion+ in value - and then slowly selling off say $4 billion worth to prevent a price crash - and then dumping $10B+ all at once as an experiment.
Perhaps you're right about Bitcoin, but Elon's messaging on Doge Coin was indisputably a Pump-n-Dump scheme. He even egged the SEC to investigate him[1].
Which reinforces my point - actions like this, by today's Tycoons and ultra-wealthy, will usher in a new age of crypto regulations since it is indeed the little guy being hurt by all this.
Now, with major publically traded companies buying up other crypto-currencies, seemingly speculating on their rise in value, we may have a problem that compels some government agency to step in and ensure these organizations are truly acting in shareholder's best interests.
It's not a far stretch to see these events ushering in new crypto regulations.
[1] https://tradetheday.com/crypto-analysis/dogecoin-elon-musk-p...