Ripple CLO Says Regulators Using Crypto as Scapegoat in Money Laundering

As an analyst with years of experience in the financial sector, I find myself intrigued by the ongoing discourse between regulators and the cryptocurrency industry, particularly the recent statements from Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty and crypto lawyer John Deaton.


Stuart Alderoty, the Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, has recently criticized regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Reserve, arguing that they are unfairly blaming cryptocurrencies for money laundering problems.

Additionally, he pointed out that established financial institutions such as the New York Federal Reserve have earned substantial sums from transactions. However, it’s been suggested that US regulators have historically safeguarded banks, even allowing them to launder money through their system, all while being criticized for their handling of cryptocurrencies. In a communication via the X platform, Stuart Alderoty expressed:

Contrary to some beliefs, money laundering isn’t exclusive to cryptocurrencies. This was evident when the New York Federal Reserve allowed hundreds of millions of dollars to pass undetected.

Other participants in the cryptocurrency market have similarly criticized legislators for their efforts to regulate cryptocurrencies. John Deaton, a lawyer representing XRP and winner of last week’s Republican primary in Massachusetts, recently took aim at Senator Elizabeth Warren’s stance on cryptocurrencies during an interview with WBUR.

According to Deaton’s findings, only a tiny fraction (less than 1%) of Bitcoin and other digital currencies are involved in illegal activities. This percentage is significantly smaller compared to the rate seen in conventional banking systems.

Furthermore, he emphasized that leading U.S. banks are estimated to wash away around $800 billion to $2 trillion each year, using statistics from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as evidence. He specifically called out banks such as HSBC, which laundered close to $900 million for drug trafficking organizations, and implicated institutions like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Deutsche Bank in the global money laundering issue.

Besides John Deaton, notable figures in the crypto world such as Anthony Scaramucci and Mark Cuban – who are backing Kamala Harris – have also spoken critically about Elizabeth Warren. Scaramucci even labeled her a hypocrite and went as far as to call Warren, along with Gary Gensler, the “evil axis of regulation.

John Deaton Fights for Crypto

In response to Senator Warren’s comments regarding him, John Deaton made it clear who he is within the crypto sector by stating, “When you discuss me, you often bring up crypto tycoons, but I believe there may be some confusion as I am not the person you think I am.

He further mentioned that he worked as a lawyer who took legal action against the SEC, uncovering instances of regulatory manipulation by wealthy cryptocurrency tycoons and hedge fund managers. Additionally, Deaton emphasized his role in initiating an Inspector General investigation into potential conflicts of interest within the SEC.

For a duration of three years, Deaton acted as a legal representative for approximately 75,000 distinct token holders, small investors, and users, championing their interests during legal disputes with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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2024-09-10 15:18