XRP Lawyer Hints At SEC Corruption In Hinman Ethereum Case

An XRP lawyer has alleged corruption within the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), suggesting that the regulator showed undue favoritism towards Ethereum at the expense of Ripple’s native token XRP. Bill Morgan, a pro-XRP attorney, has reiterated accusations of biased regulatory practices, pointing to former SEC official William Hinman’s actions as a focal point of the controversy.

XRP Lawyer Slams SEC In Ethereum Case

Bill Morgan’s remarks were made on social media, where he expressed his frustrations over what he termed “ETH Gate.” He accused the SEC of being corrupt, highlighting the timing of the SEC’s investigation into Ripple.

He started his post with a sarcastic tone and said “But it is all just a grand conspiracy of the XRP community”. Notably, he emphasized that the investigation into Ripple began when XRP was the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, just as Hinman’s speech, which favored Ethereum, was being drafted by SEC staff.

Meanwhile, Morgan’s statements come on the heels of heightened scrutiny of William Hinman’s tenure at the SEC. The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) has formally complained to the New York and California Bar Associations, alleging unethical behavior and potential conflicts of interest by Hinman.

CPAC’s complaint underscores that Hinman’s 2018 speech, which suggested Ethereum should not be classified as a security, had far-reaching implications and potential conflicts of interest due to his previous associations.

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CPAC’s Involvement And Potential Impact

CPAC’s Director of the Center for Regulatory Freedom, Andrew Langer, has taken a leading role in calling for an investigation into Hinman’s conduct. Langer’s complaints to the bar associations assert that Hinman’s connections to his former law firm, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (STB).

Notably, this law firm was involved with the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, raising significant ethical questions. The firm’s potential benefits from Ethereum’s regulatory status, influenced by Hinman’s speech, suggest a conflict of interest that CPAC argues needs thorough investigation.

In addition, Hinman’s pivotal 2018 speech effectively relieved Ethereum from the stringent regulatory scrutiny applicable to securities transactions. This move coincided with Simpson Thacher’s involvement in promoting Ethereum’s use in various business sectors.

CPAC’s complaint emphasizes that Hinman’s former firm stood to gain from Ethereum’s enhanced market position, a benefit arguably driven by Hinman’s regulatory guidance. Meanwhile, the controversy around Hinman’s actions has been compounded by the SEC’s prolonged and contentious discovery process in its lawsuit against Ripple Labs.

Besides, internal SEC emails revealed Hinman’s consultations with Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin before his speech, despite having already decided that Ether would not be a security. This discovery has further fueled allegations of bias and corruption within the SEC.

While Hinman left the SEC in 2020 and returned to STB, his subsequent role as an advisory partner for Andreessen Horowitz’s cryptocurrency team has also raised eyebrows. This appointment, coupled with his previous actions, continues to cast a shadow over the impartiality and integrity of the SEC’s regulatory practices during his tenure.

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