XRP Lawyer Hints At SEC Corruption In Hinman Ethereum Case

As a long-time crypto investor, I’ve seen my fair share of market fluctuations, regulatory challenges, and industry developments. The recent allegations of corruption within the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding their treatment of Ripple’s XRP token are particularly concerning.


A lawyer representing Ripple and its native token XRP has levied allegations of corruption against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He claims that the SEC exhibited preferential treatment towards Ethereum over XRP. Bill Morgan, an advocate for XRP, has continued to accuse the regulatory body of biased practices, with the actions of ex-SEC official William Hinman being a significant point of contention in this ongoing controversy.

XRP Lawyer Slams SEC In Ethereum Case

Bill Morgan voiced his grievances on social media regarding an issue he referred to as “ETH Gate.” He publicly criticized the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), implying that their ongoing investigation into Ripple was politically motivated or corrupt.

He initiated his statement with a mocking attitude and remarked, “But isn’t it all just a vast XRP community conspiracy?” It’s important to note that the inquiry into Ripple commenced when XRP held the third-largest market capitalization. Coincidentally, SEC staff were drafting a speech by Hinman, which leaned toward Ethereum, at around the same time.

As a crypto investor, I’ve been closely following the recent developments regarding William Hinman’s tenure at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Just when things were starting to calm down, Morgan’s statements have added fuel to the fire. The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) has officially filed complaints with both the New York and California Bar Associations, accusing Hinman of unethical conduct and potential conflicts of interest. These allegations are certainly cause for concern and add another layer of uncertainty to an already complex situation.

The gist of CPAC’s complaint is that Hinman’s 2018 speech, in which he proposed that Ethereum shouldn’t be considered a security, carried significant consequences and possible conflicts of interest given his past connections.

CPAC’s Involvement And Potential Impact

The head of CPAC’s Center for Regulatory Freedom, Andrew Langer, has been vocal about requesting an investigation into the actions of Hinman. According to Langer’s grievances filed with the bar associations, there are concerns over Hinman’s past ties to his previous law firm, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (STB).

This law firm has drawn attention due to its association with the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, which raises concerns about ethics given its possible gains from Ethereum’s regulatory standing, as influenced by Hinman’s speech. The Conflicts of Proceedings Committee advocates for a comprehensive examination of this potential conflict of interest.

Hinman’s groundbreaking 2018 speech eased Ethereum out of the intensive regulatory oversight typically required for securities deals. This shift occurred concurrently with Simpson Thacher’s efforts to expand Ethereum’s application across diverse industries.

The grievance filed by CPAC highlights that Hinman’s previous firm could potentially profit from Ethereum’s improved market status, which may have been influenced by Hinman’s regulatory advice. Simultaneously, the uncertainty surrounding Hinman’s actions has intensified due to the prolonged and disputatious discovery phase in the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs.

As an analyst, I’ve come across some intriguing information regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ethereum. The disclosure of internal emails showed that Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin had consulted with SEC associate director William Hinman prior to his speech in 2018, during which Hinman stated that Ether would not be classified as a security. It’s important to note that this consultation took place after Hinman had already made his decision. This revelation has added fuel to the growing allegations of bias and potential corruption within the SEC.

As a crypto investor, I’ve been following the developments regarding William Hinman’s appointment as an advisory partner for Andreessen Horowitz’s cryptocurrency team after he left the SEC in 2020. This news, combined with his past actions during his tenure at the SEC, has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the impartiality of regulatory practices within the organization.

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2024-05-29 12:26