John Deaton Predicts Ripple’s SEC Fine Will Be Much Lower

Attorney John Deaton, representing XRP holders, has recently presented a compelling argument regarding the ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Deaton asserts that Ripple will unlikely face the speculated $770 million disgorgement. He bases this prediction on several key factors that might significantly influence the court’s decision.

Deaton Challenges SEC Over Ripple Sales

Deaton highlights the Supreme Court’s Morrison ruling, which essentially excludes sales outside the United States from SEC’s reach. This is particularly relevant as Ripple’s XRP sales in the United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland, and other regions are under scrutiny. Moreover, the legal status of XRP in these countries further strengthens Ripple’s position. For instance, the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) do not classify XRP as a security. This classification plays a pivotal role, allowing XRP sales to continue legally in these jurisdictions, challenging the SEC’s claim for disgorgement from these international sales.

Furthermore, Deaton emphasizes that the case against Ripple is not a fraud but rather a regulatory dispute. This distinction is crucial as it shifts the focus from punishment to compliance. With most XRP sales occurring outside the U.S. and to accredited investors, the scope for disgorgement narrows considerably. Deaton estimates that the potential disgorgement amount diminishes significantly after excluding non-U.S. sales, which might account for over 90% of total sales and sales to accredited investors.

SEC Faces Criticism from XRP Holders

The attorney also points out the absence of harm in most institutional sales of XRP, noting that the current price of XRP is higher than during these sales. This observation suggests that investors have not suffered losses. Additionally, Deaton remarks on the nature of On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) transactions involving XRP, which occur in seconds, further diminishing the likelihood of investor harm. In a unique twist, the harm accusations are directed more at the SEC than Ripple, especially among the 75,000 XRP holders who joined the lawsuit.

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