- John Deaton, staunch XRP supporter, addresses the alleged “aiding and abetting” claims against Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse by the SEC.
- The involvement and early testimony of former SEC executives could have significantly altered the trajectory of the Ripple vs. SEC case.
Delayed Testimonies Could Shift the Balance in Ripple’s Legal Battle
John Deaton, the brains behind CryptolawUS and a steadfast champion for XRP enthusiasts, recently shed light on the SEC’s accusations, suggesting that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse played a role in “aiding and abetting.” Deaton’s discerning eyes focus on a particular avenue of the case that might have taken a different route: the testimonies of former SEC executives Bill Hinman and Jay Clayton. In his assessment, an earlier court appearance by these figures could have perhaps staved off the ensuing complications.
It’s worth noting that in the labyrinthine legal battle of Ripple versus the SEC, notable voices like the Digital Asset Investor have expressed their desire to have key figures, namely Clayton, Hinman, and a16z attorneys Lowell Ness and Chris Dixon, take the witness stand at the outset. There’s a consensus that Jay Clayton had designated specific personnel to supervise the discourse around Ethereum.
#ETHGATE Witness Spotlight(New Feature)
If I'm @ripple @bgarlinghouse @chrislarsensf going to trial with the SEC two of the first witnesses I call besides Jay Clayton and Bill Hinman are Lowell Ness, at the time @a16z attorney and @cdixon who Jay Clayton apparently put in charge… pic.twitter.com/CbaNZ0CEes— Digital Asset Investor.XRP (@digitalassetbuy) August 25, 2023
>> Buy XRP quickly and securely with PayPal, credit card or bank transfer at eToro with low fees and deposit protection. Get started with XRP now. Visit Website <<
Deaton’s standpoint resonates with this sentiment. He firmly believes that Hinman should have been ushered into court proceedings, emphasizing the missed opportunity to summon a preceding SEC Chairman for testimony.
Garlinghouse in the Crosshairs: A Contested Decision
The Ripple CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, found himself in the legal crosshairs, a move Deaton critiques as a potential oversight by the SEC. Diving deeper, he unveils that Clayton aimed to launch a “non-fraud” litigation against corporate leaders at an individual level. Following a keynote by Hinman, Garlinghouse reportedly approached Clayton with concerns, articulating the sentiment that Ripple was in a state of “purgatory.” Interestingly, neither Clayton nor Hinman identified XRP as a security in their interactions with Garlinghouse.
Deaton accentuates that the litigation’s complexity could have been attenuated if Clayton and Hinman had proactively elucidated their stance. Such clarifications might have not only saved invaluable resources but could have propelled the broader cryptocurrency adoption, echoing a sentiment many in the crypto community resonate with. As things stand, the SEC continues its battle, challenging Judge Torres’ verdict that XRP doesn’t qualify as a security.
Best Crypto Exchange for Everyone:
- Invest in Ripple (XRP) and 70+ cryptocurrencies and 3,000 other assets.
- 0% commission on stocks – buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10.
- Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.
- Regulated by financial authorities including FAC and FINRA.

