John Deaton is a prominent American lawyer and vocal advocate within the cryptocurrency sector. He gained considerable attention for his legal work supporting XRP holders during the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit against Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP. Recently, Deaton entered the political arena, running as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts, currently held by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren. This campaign has spotlighted his strong pro-crypto stance, contrasting sharply with Warren’s critical view of digital currencies. Deaton’s campaign has attracted backing from major crypto figures and companies.
On 22 October 2024, John Deaton posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), expressing his concerns over the lack of trustworthiness among politicians. He criticized Senator Elizabeth Warren, suggesting she believes he would mislead voters during the campaign only to change his stance once in Washington, D.C. He accused Warren of being part of the flawed political system in Washington that operates this way, asserting that he is different and does not follow the same tactics. Deaton also claimed that Warren was distorting his record and argued that politicians like her prioritize special interests over the needs of the working and middle-class population.
In response, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse voiced his support for Deaton on X. He praised Deaton as a consistent and strong advocate for the XRP Army and the broader crypto community. Garlinghouse contrasted Deaton’s stance with Senator Warren’s, accusing her of spreading misinformation about the crypto sector. Garlinghouse offered his full endorsement for Deaton’s Senate campaign, urging those who can to contribute financially, whether small or large, to support his run. He emphasized the importance of voting for Deaton if residing in Massachusetts.
Jeremy Hogan, an American lawyer known for his advocacy for clear crypto regulations in the U.S., also responded to Deaton’s remarks on X. In his post, Hogan shared that two of his staff members, originally from Massachusetts, had been informed about Deaton’s campaign and values. As a result, they managed to convince three of their family members to support Deaton. Hogan humorously added that no “overt” incentives were involved in swaying those votes. He urged the XRP Army to do the same, suggesting that if each member could change just four votes, it could be enough to secure Deaton’s victory.
