Central Issuer and Network Operator issue with Bitcoin protocol

[swords]

I understand the vision for the Bitcoin protocol and the currency to be autonomous and decentralized.  However, the present reality is that we have a group of people prioritizing and developing aspects of the protocol and making management decisions about the ledger, at least for the foreseeable future.

How is it that the core developers are not considered "network operators" or "central issuers" under financial regulation in most countries?  

Is the strategy of the Bitcoin developers to complete the protocol before regulators catch up?  Do the developers believe there is precedence that makes them exempt?  Do they care about regulation and laws at all?  Is there consensus among them?

[ReCat]

Thing is, the moment everyone decides to stop listening to them, they're no longer anything.