Pro-XRP and crypto attorney John E. Deaton, who won the Republican nomination for Senate in Massachusetts, has emerged as one of the largest crypto holders in the political space ahead of the election, with significant holdings in the largest digital assets on the market.
XRP Defender John E. Deaton’s Crypto Holdings Exposed
Deaton, known not only for his legal expertise but also as a Marine veteran, has drawn attention for his ongoing defense of cryptocurrencies, particularly Ripple, amid the blockchain payments company’s fierce legal battle with US regulators over the past few years.
Ripple, embroiled in a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit since 2020 for alleged “securities violations,” has supported Deaton’s campaign with substantial donations, as the Massachusetts state senate candidate has played a key role in the company’s defense.
Nonetheless, Fox Journalist Eleanor Terret brought to light the revelation on Wednesday that a substantial 80% of Deaton’s net worth is tied up in Bitcoin (BTC) or BTC-related investments, alongside undisclosed holdings in Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP.
Ripple’s Political Push
The involvement of Ripple, with significant contributions to the Commonwealth Unity Fund, a super political action committee (PAC) established by legal expert and crypto advocate James Murphy, showcases the growing influence over the past year of the crypto industry in the US political race.
Ripple’s support, which includes $1 million in donations from key figures such as the company’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse and founder Chris Larsen, signals a concerted effort to support Deaton and foster a more crypto-friendly political climate, which has been marked by lawsuits and increasing enforcement actions against key industry players, especially in the past year.
Murphy, known for his insights on crypto enforcement matters under the pseudonym “MetaLawMan,” has articulated a vision of unity and collaboration in Congress, positioning Deaton as a candidate capable of bridging divides in the Senate regarding crypto regulation.
However, with Warren’s stronghold in Massachusetts, not losing her seat since 2013, and her vocal stance against digital assets, Deaton’s campaign faces financial and ideological challenges.
In addition, the fundraising numbers also position Warren to outpace the Pro-XRP lawyer in contributions, reflecting the uphill battle for the crypto-friendly candidate. Murphy said in a recent interview with Fox:
Now, more than ever, we need unifiers in the Senate. I believe the people are ready to reject the divisive policies and actions of Elizabeth Warren.
At the time of writing, XRP, the sixth largest cryptocurrency on the market, is trading at $0.615, down 1.5% in the last 24 hours, as the crypto market has seen a slight correction led by Bitcoin on Thursday.
Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com