SEC objects to XRP holders aiding Ripple defense

cointelegraph.com:

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is attempting to block XRP holders from aiding in Ripple’s defense, and prohibit attorney John E. Deaton from any further participation in proceedings. 

In its official objection submitted on July 19, the regulator opposed the decision to recognize 1,746 XRP holders as "amici curiae" along with attorney John E. Deaton.

Amici (plural: amici curiae) means “friend of the court” — an individual or organization not a party to a legal case but is permitted to assist a court by providing information, expertise, or insights.  In this case, in support of Ripple’s defense.

Deaton has 3,252 affidavits signed by the token holders essentially stating that they are victims of the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple as a result of lost profits.

Holders claim in the affidavits that they either did not assume legal responsibility for purchasing XRP, they bought the tokens for utilitarian purposes instead of investment purposes, or they did not buy based on promises made by the company and its representatives.

However, in its objection to XRP holders, the commission claimed that they are attempting to operate outside of strictly legal issues. The SEC wrote:

The commission has cited alleged threats by Deaton against former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton as reasoning to dismiss him as amicus. The SEC included a redacted letter dated June 7 to Judge Torres that cites a YouTube video from 2021 in which Deaton stated he “might have to walk over and slap the [profanity] out of former SEC Chair Jay Clayton.”

The XRP holders and Deaton as amici are required to submit a public reply to the SEC’s objection by July 25. 

Ripple is a blockchain company that issues the XRP token. The SEC has alleged in an ongoing court case