Hedge funds are not criminal under our system of laws, no matter how much harm they cause. When they collapse companies or even nations, they are considered agents of the "invisible hand" (Adam Smith) spurring "creative destruction" (Joseph Schumpeter) in the interest of greater economic efficiency.

As we perhaps approach "regime change" (in the economic sense), the rules might change -- as the folks making the rules change. Creditors make the rules, probably over time becoming Asian (in a broad sense) and Middle Eastern elites. They might have different views of speculators, and enforce them.

On the other hand, history shows many instances of societies at first condemning weapons, then adopting them. Like the crossbow and strategic bombing. Perhaps other nations will adopt our methods of (in their eyes) economic warfare, but now wielded by the State (not investors) for national (not private) ends.