Then his attempts to stop crypto seem perfectly logical. Where’s the conflict?

His opinion on things his job depends on failing should be taken with a grain of salt. Like a horse drawn carriage salesmen telling you cars are useless.

The guy is 65, has a net worth of $2bn. I genuinely don't think he gives a crap about bad mouthing bitcoin to save himself. He's won the game. At this point he's just trying to be credible and honest. There are crypto lovers who hear what he says, it hurts their emotions, so they rationalize his words as some sort of nefarious plot to subvert public opinion! But the explanation is simpler, it's just what he thinks.