Government will do anything and will keep doing many things just to get hold of what they consider threat. I think they see crypto currencies as threat. Why? Because it is decentralised.
Had they were the one that control crypto currencies, I don't think all of these stories will come up.
As long as the world is evolving into blockchain technology, everyone will grab the opportunity and make good use of it.
Just as you have said earlier, "nothing about the government surprise me too."
Besides, Ponzi schemes made many people to know about crypto currencies. I came to know about Bitcoin when reading about MMM.