Ripple Backer John Deaton Condemns SEC Chair For Small Investor Damage

John Deaton, a prominent XRP advocate and candidate for the US Senate in Massachusetts, has once again voiced his staunch criticism of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its chairman, Gary Gensler.

Deaton accuses them of inflicting significant damage on small cryptocurrency investors, specifically targeting those who have invested in XRP. This latest salvo from Deaton underscores the growing friction between the cryptocurrency community and regulatory authorities in the United States.

Gensler Under Fire: Allegations And Controversies

Deaton’s criticism doesn’t stop at general accusations. He has publicly declared his “100% conviction” that Gensler and the SEC have caused more harm to small investors than any other entity in recent years.

One of the more explosive allegations Deaton brings to light involves Gensler’s undisclosed meetings with Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of the now-defunct crypto exchange FTX. Deaton refers to Bankman-Fried as “the Bernie Madoff of crypto,” suggesting a deep-seated mistrust of Gensler’s intentions and actions.

As the person who literally sued the @SECGov on behalf of tens of thousands of small investors, I can state with 💯 conviction that @GaryGensler and the SEC has caused more harm to investors than any other person or entity during the last several years. What Gensler fails to… https://t.co/kv2EIMSOw4

— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) June 26, 2024

This revelation is particularly poignant given the backdrop of FTX’s collapse, which has left a trail of financial devastation for its users. Deaton’s accusations are part of a broader narrative that paints Gensler and the SEC as out of touch with the realities of the crypto market and overly punitive in their regulatory approach.

Ripple’s Legal Saga: A Glimmer Of Hope Amid Ongoing Battles

The legal battle between the SEC and Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP, has been a focal point in the crypto world since it began in December 2020. The SEC’s lawsuit alleges that Ripple’s sales of XRP constitute unregistered securities transactions, a charge that Ripple has vehemently denied.

In a significant development, federal judge Analisa Torres ruled in July 2023 that XRP sales on secondary markets do not qualify as security sales. This partial victory for Ripple was met with cautious optimism by the XRP community.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently hinted that he expects a final ruling by September, expressing hope that the long-running case will conclude in Ripple’s favor.

Despite this optimistic outlook, the legal uncertainties continue to cast a shadow over the future of XRP and its investors. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how other cryptocurrencies are regulated in the US.

SEC Crackdown: The Wider Impact On The Crypto Market

Beyond the Ripple case, the SEC has launched what many in the crypto community view as a broad-based crackdown on cryptocurrency platforms and altcoins. The SEC’s stance is that most altcoins are unregistered securities, a classification that brings with it significant regulatory and compliance burdens.

Gensler has defended this aggressive approach by citing widespread noncompliance within the cryptocurrency industry. He argues that the SEC’s actions are necessary to protect investors and maintain market integrity.

However, critics like Deaton argue that this approach is heavy-handed and disproportionately harms small investors, who are often caught in the crossfire of regulatory actions.

Featured image from CNBC, chart from TradingView