- Attorney John Deaton says XRP price is on track to recover and set a target of $2.
- Deaton and Ripple CTO David Schwartz say Hinman emails will likely be made public soon irrespective of the verdict.
- The documents are key to the defense of Ripple and other crypto entities like Coinbase that are subject to regulatory crackdown.
The community of XRP token holders await a verdict in the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) lawsuit against Ripple. Three key aspects of the case could influence the verdict and subsequently XRP price: the emails from former director of the SEC’s division of corporate finance, Ripple’s fair notice defense and the consideration of whether sales are done in primary or secondary markets
Ripple Chief Technology Officer (CTO) David Schwartz and XRP proponent attorney John Deaton shed light on one of the three key factors earlier today: the emails from the former Director of the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance. These emails contain information on the SEC’s take on whether cryptocurrencies, specifically Ether, is a security or it isn’t.
These documents, popularly-known as the Hinman emails, are key to Ripple’s defense and they could help support the defense of other crypto entities targeted by the US financial regulator.
Also read: Ripple CEO foresees ground-breaking victory for the payment giant in SEC lawsuit
The release of Hinman documents is likely imminent
William Hinman’s emails have emerged as a key factor in Ripple’s defense against the SEC’s allegations. In these documents, the former Director of the SEC’s division of Corporation Finance sheds light on the regulator’s understanding of cryptocurrencies and whether assets like Ether are securities or non-securities.
The US financial regulator filed motions to keep the Hinman documents under wraps, but their release is imminent. Schwartz said that the documents will be released no matter the verdict in the SEC vs. Ripple.
I am not a lawyer, but I don't think Ripple can agree not to make them public. The judge has ruled that they're judicial documents and that no factors outweigh the public's right of access to them.
— David "JoelKatz" Schwartz (@JoelKatz) May 28, 2023
XRP proponent attorney John Deaton seconded Schwartz’s opinion in a recent tweet. Deaton is bullish on the altcoin’s price and its recovery in the long-term.
David is correct. Even if Ripple and the SEC settled today, the emails are coming out. @RoslynLayton’s motion to intervene (to obtain the emails) was ruled moot b/c the emails are being unsealed. If the case settled today, the judge would need to revisit her motion.
— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) May 28, 2023
#XRP sits at .48 cents and it’s crazy to think about how many people, who refuse to buy it now, are going to buy it over $1. What’s even more crazy is that fomo won’t likely kick in until $2.
— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) May 29, 2023
The contents of the email are likely to provide useful insight and context for other crypto entities like Coinbase, that are also under regulatory crackdown. Deaton said that even if the SEC and Ripple reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit, the Hinman documents will be released and this is a positive development for the crypto ecosystem in the long-term.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks

Bitcoin recovers above $85,000 while institutional investors offload their holdings
Bitcoin (BTC) recovers slightly and trades around $86,000 at the time of writing on Thursday after falling nearly 15% at one point this week. US President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff news and falling institutional demand fueled the BTC’s correction.

ONDO Finance partners with Mastercard: Tokenized Real-World Assets to Multi-Token Network
Ondo Finance announces a partnership with Mastercard to bring tokenized Real-World Assets to Mastercard’s Multi-Token Network.. This integration will bring Ondo’s OUSG token to MTN, enabling businesses to access the benefits of tokenized treasuries seamlessly.

Solana Price Forecast: DTCC lists first SOL futures ETF, will it avert $130 breakdown?
Solana price edges higher and trades near $140 at the time of writing on Thursday after tumbling from $172 to $134 this week as FTX estate’s impending token unlock looms ahead despite early gains from a new SOL Exchange Traded Fund listing.

XRP remains in murky waters as SEC drags feet in dismissing its case against Ripple
XRP has witnessed heavy losses since the beginning of the week, dropping nearly 15% as the crypto market stretches its losses. Ripple community members continue to expect an end to the SEC's multi-year lawsuit as the agency closes another investigation.

Bitcoin: BTC demand and liquidity conditions remain weak
Bitcoin price has been consolidating between $94,000 and $100,000 since early February, hovering around $98,000 at the time of writing on Friday. Despite this consolidation, US Bitcoin spot ETFs data recorded a total net outflow of $489.60 million until Thursday, hinting signs of weakness among institutional investors.

The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.