- John Deaton, a legal expert and pro-XRP advocate, believes that the SEC’s appeal in its ongoing legal battle with Ripple is weak and unlikely to succeed, especially after Judge Torres’ ruling in favor of Ripple.
- Deaton predicts that Ripple will likely win if the case is heard by the Second Circuit Court, and a potential dismissal of the case could come from changes in SEC leadership.
As the legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to unfold, the eyes of investors and crypto enthusiasts are on the outcome. Legal expert and pro-XRP advocate John Deaton recently weighed in on the case, suggesting that the SEC’s appeal may not stand a chance.
SEC’s Weak Appeal
The case has been contentious for months, with the SEC seeking to classify Ripple’s XRP token as a security, which would impose a series of regulations on the cryptocurrency. However, in a significant win for Ripple, Judge Analisa Torres ruled in July 2023 that XRP sales to retail investors were not unregistered securities, much to the SEC’s dissatisfaction. Despite this setback, the SEC is not backing down and has appealed the decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
John Deaton, who has closely followed the case and advocates for the rights of XRP holders, shared his views on the SEC’s appeal. On the Good Morning Crypto Show, Deaton expressed doubt over the strength of the SEC’s case. He believes that the SEC is unlikely to succeed in its appeal, as Judge Torres had already pointed out that the SEC had failed to meet certain legal requirements in the original case.
Ripple’s Strong Position in Court
Deaton’s predictions are grounded in the belief that if the case is heard by the Second Circuit Court, Ripple will likely prevail once again. Even if the SEC manages to win at this level, the case could be escalated to the U.S. Supreme Court, leading to more delays. However, Deaton suggests that this might not happen, as the growing recognition of XRP as a legitimate cryptocurrency could influence the outcome in Ripple’s favor.
A Shift in SEC Leadership
Deaton also highlighted the impact of leadership changes within the SEC. With Chairman Gary Gensler stepping down, some officials within the SEC, including acting director Paul Atkins, have been vocal in their criticism of the SEC’s stance on XRP. If three out of five SEC commissioners vote to dismiss the case, the lawsuit could be dropped entirely, signaling a potential shift in the SEC’s approach to cryptocurrencies.
The Road Ahead for Ripple and XRP
As the case progresses through the legal system, the future of Ripple and XRP remains uncertain. However, the support from over 75,000 XRP holders, along with legal experts like Deaton predicting a favorable outcome for Ripple, suggests that the tide may be turning in the cryptocurrency’s favor.
With the SEC’s appeal still in play, the legal showdown between Ripple and the SEC is far from over, but the chances of a successful appeal seem slim, leaving many to wonder whether Ripple’s victory is inevitable.
