Market Data 
- The SEC’s strict crypto regulation allegedly led to a $15 billion loss for retail investors, according to pro-crypto attorney John Deaton.
- The SEC recently clarified that cryptocurrencies are not securities, marking a change from its previous regulatory stance.
- John Deaton, now a Senate candidate, vows to hold the SEC accountable for its regulatory actions, criticizing its gross overreach.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has come under fire for its aggressive regulation of the cryptocurrency industry. John Deaton claims that the SEC’s regulatory approach has cost ordinary investors more than $15 billion. He called the SEC’s actions gross overreach and promised to keep the agency accountable.
JUST IN: 🇺🇸 JOHN DEATON STATES THE @SECGOV’S CRYPTO OVERREACH COST RETAIL INVESTORS $15 BILLION!
“The SEC’s misconduct and gross overreach caused small investors over $15 billion. On behalf of those 75K small investors I represented, we do not accept the SEC’s apology.” —… pic.twitter.com/2VYoiX1nOR
— Good Morning Crypto (@AbsGMCrypto) September 15, 2024
The SEC has long been criticized for its enforcement-heavy approach to managing the digital currency industry. Deaton, a passionate advocate for XRP holders, claims that the SEC’s strict rules have significantly harmed small investors.
Recent Developments with Political Implications
Deaton’s words come after he won the Massachusetts Republican primary for the United States Senate. He is currently preparing for battle with Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren in the November election. Deaton claims that Warren has been unwilling to oppose the SEC’s crypto stance, leading him to take action by vying in the upcoming elections.
Furthermore, the SEC has shown signals of relaxing its crypto stance after it clarified that cryptocurrencies themselves are not considered securities. This represents a major shift from the SEC’s earlier approach, which classified some crypto assets as securities. However, Deaton argues that this move is too little, too late, given the huge financial impact on regular investors.
SEC Under Scrutiny
Deaton’s criticism comes amid rising scrutiny of the SEC’s regulating tactics. He claims that the agency’s excessive enforcement has done significant damage to small investors. Deaton stressed that the $15 billion loss incurred by these investors was due to the SEC’s misconduct and gross overreach.
The way the SEC has regulated cryptocurrencies has come under fire, particularly since individual investors are suffering significant losses. As Deaton pursues his Senate campaign, the debate over cryptocurrency regulation is expected to be a heated topic, with potential changes to policy on the way.
