Ripple vs SEC Saga Continues: Could Court Documents Reveal Unlawful Conduct?

On Jun 19, 2023

In the ongoing legal drama between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a new twist has unfolded. Legal documents linked to a controversial speech by former SEC director Hinman, released in the wake of the XRP lawsuit, are stirring up fresh debates in the cryptocurrency landscape.

Vitalik Buterin’s Involvement and Judicial Implications

The recent unearthing of these documents has ignited the crypto community with chatter, primarily because they hint at Ethereum founder, Vitalik Buterin’s involvement in the crafting of Hinman’s contentious speech. This discovery has subsequently sparked conversations about potential biases within the judge overseeing the lawsuit.

John Deaton, the lawyer representing XRP holders in the legal battle against SEC, notes that there have been cases of corruption and political influence among judges in the past. However, he affirms that this likely isn’t the case in the XRP lawsuit. According to Deaton, District Judge Analisa Torres, presiding over the case, has a less politically influenced background compared to many federal judges.

In history, there are examples of corrupt judges. Political affiliation, alone, is not one of them, however. I’m aware of how Torres was selected and it was much less political than most federal judges to be honest. Since she was appointed by Democrats its safe to assume cetain…
— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) June 18, 2023

Also Read – Ripple News: BitGo CEO Joins Forces with Ripple in Defending Against SEC Lawsuit

Government Overreach and Possible Misconduct

The legal representative of XRP holders suggests that the conduct of the commission and the extent of government reach might irk Judge Torres enough to warrant her commentary on the matter. Despite any motivations from former SEC director Hinman and the SEC, Deaton remains confident that Judge Torres will execute the law as she interprets it.

Rumors of Misconduct in the Ripple Case – Fact or Fiction?

While there’s significant chatter about potential misconduct leading to the dismissal of the XRP lawsuit, it’s worth noting that no such motion has been presented. Ripple has yet to file any such claim, despite industry voices considering this a viable option.

Deaton admitted he’s not surprised Ripple hasn’t moved to file a motion around misconduct or ill intentions. Nevertheless, he expressed mild shock that the defendants have not interwoven this narrative into their pleadings. While selective enforcement is a common occurrence, it doesn’t necessarily mean Ripple will adopt that route.