Isn't this what we already have, kkaspar? For example, YOU could choose to form a group (say a bitcoin exchange) and implement the rules and regulations that you see as important (perhaps independent audits). Anyone that invests or trades with your group would have to follow your rules or you can kick them out. If other individuals like what your group has done (e.g., the exchange audits) then they will want to work with your group and play by your rules. If not, then, like you said, they can live by their own rules without the support of your group.
So I don't understand what you are proposing. You mentioned something in one of your posts about the core developers forcing the exchanges to behave a certain way, but I didn't understand what that would look like or how that could be accomplished.
Peter R, I think that you have a very good idea, but sadly I see that I am a little too late for that. To take on an project like that, so that it would generally change the bitcoin exchange scene, would take time and effort that I can't afford. There is the time issue, where a new exchange not only has to be built, but needs a proper run in to gain the confidence of traders. When I see that bitcoin has probably 1 or 2 years to live, then that project would be on a very tight schedule. If you have about 2mil.$ to spare on a very risky venture, where there is a possibility of no return, then I'm in and we can start tomorrow.
First thing I would like from the core developers and the community leaders is that the subject should be talked about. People with expertise and experience should start thinking of different options how to improve the integrity of markets. The threat that unregulated markets present to the future of bitcoin is real, and it should be taken as real. Maybe bitcoin can be classified as an product or an brand, then there are always legal ways to set the terms of it's usage. Maybe a public rating system should be made to grade the exchanges in depth... these are just some ideas that popped into my mind. All I am asking is that people who are interested in the growth of bitcoin, would do the same and start throwing ideas around. The market integrity crises will be a big one, but all problems can be solved. The community should start early on thinking of an solution for this crises that will come sooner then most think. If all hell breaks lose, then there is no time to fix anything and confidence fades quickly. Bitcoin only needs a couple of weeks of waves of bitcoin exchange scandals, and the value will be back to single digits and it probably won't rise again.. And this will come in waves and with rapid speed. If one exchange is using dirty tricks in the market, then be sure that the others do the same. Only the level of dirtiness will varie. Soon greed will take hold and one exchange will leak the material that is needed to hurt the integrity of an competing exchange. This will be answered by a counter-attack that will leak shady doings and will probably spice them up a little with some made up stuff. When people are already unsure about bitcoin because of the previous scandal, then the next one will hit even harder. If the exchanges are corrupt, then greed will make them destroy themselves like this.
Kkaspar, I moved our previous discussion to your new thread.
NOTE TO READERS: we are discussing regulation of exchanges, not regulation of the bitcoin network.
I agree that increased transparency and third-party audits of the exchanges would be helpful. And I have confidence in the free market that we will eventually get there. I recently learned that I am one-degree of separation away from a great whale manipulator. During this discussion I also learned that the exchanges
are cracking down on blatant manipulation. Of course, the exchanges don't really want to come out and talk about this. So I actually think stuff
is being done behind the scenes to improve some of the worries that you have. Lastly, manipulation is becoming more difficult as the bitcoin market grows in value, anyways.
My bet is that we eventually see bitcoin traded as a digital commodity on something like the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, in the same way one would trade gold or pork-belly futures. This would add legitimacy to the exchange process, since it would fit in to the existing commodity trading framework and regulated the same way. The Winklevoss ETF will later get approved by the SEC, further legitimizing the bitcoin-to-USD exchange market.
In conclusion, I see the current exchange limitations as growing pains that are working themselves out as we speak.
P.S: I didn't vote in your poll because I don't know exactly what you mean by regulated. Yes, I think third-party audits and more transparency would be helpful, but I'm not sure I want some arm of the Japanese government meddling with MtGox.