Republican lawyer and crypto advocate John Deaton has thrown his support behind Coinbase in their legal battle against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Deaton, who is also running for a Senate seat in Massachusetts against incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Warren, filed a supporting brief in favor of Coinbase’s efforts to have a higher court determine whether tokens traded on secondary markets should be considered securities.
The crux of the issue lies in the SEC’s accusations that certain token trading activities violate securities laws. Coinbase is seeking clarification on whether digital tokens that trade without any obligations to the issuer should be classified as securities. Deaton argues that the SEC is overstepping its authority by relying on a broad interpretation of the Howey test to categorize all token transactions as securities.
Deaton’s involvement in the Coinbase case is not his first foray into the world of digital assets and securities regulation. He previously weighed in on Ripple Labs’ legal battle with the SEC, establishing himself as a vocal advocate for the crypto industry.
As a Senate candidate, Deaton faces a tough primary race against several other Republican contenders before potentially going head-to-head with Sen. Warren in the general election. Despite the uphill battle, Deaton remains committed to his pro-crypto stance and is scheduled to speak at the upcoming Consensus 2024 conference in Austin, Texas.
While Deaton’s support for Coinbase may bolster his reputation within digital asset circles, the outcome of the SEC case and his Senate campaign remain uncertain. However, his willingness to take a stand on complex legal issues surrounding cryptocurrencies demonstrates his dedication to advocating for the industry’s interests.