So if you want to use a stablecoin look into Maker and DAI.
Completely agree
This news is not super relevant in the long term. Don't use Tether as store of value and you will be fine.
I hope you are right, but I fear not. IF Bitfinex completely crashed and was shown to artificially have propped up the prices, this would surely lead to short term crashes. We could definitely survive those, but the result could also be scaring away legitimate investors, ETFs and the kind of adaptation you mention in the second half of your post (leading to longer term damage)... I am personally holding my breath for now.
Great comment @citizenkane