Any 10-minute Google search over the past year would reveal that Gox had been having absurd problems for awhile and that there were several more reputable exchanges available to would-be day traders. Over the past year, a visit to any bitcoin forum wouldn't be complete without a highly visible 'Gox screwed up and their support sucks. Stay away!' thread. Unsurprisingly, the Gox market share had shrunk to a fraction of its former might months ago. Sad as it may be for those affected, this is how a market learns to value one competitor over another. The free-market result of the Gox situation is that exchanges and other custodial companies in the space are now differentiating themselves with enhaced security, transparency and 'proof of reserves' features. No cumbersome regulatory framework required.