Sen. Elizabeth Warren to debate crypto lawyer John Deaton twice this month

Senator Elizabeth Warren is going to debate crypto lawyer and Senate candidate John Deaton twice this month.

The first of these debates is set for October 17, 2024, in Springfield, Massachusetts, hosted by New England Public Media (NEPM) and GBH News.

The second one is expected later in the month, with both candidates squaring off on key issues like cryptocurrency, financial regulation, and economic policies.

Two debates, two visions

Warren, who has held her seat since 2012, is known for being hardline on Wall Street and financial reform.

Deaton, on the other hand, is well-known in the crypto community for being a fierce advocate of crypto rights.

Both candidates bring starkly different perspectives to the table, setting the stage for heated exchanges on topics important to Massachusetts voters.

In addition to the debate itself, GBH News will host a half-hour post-debate program featuring analysis and listener feedback.

Deaton claims that one of his top priorities is making sure the U.S. government does not stifle innovation in the crypto sector.

He has repeatedly criticized the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for what he calls overreach in its enforcement actions against crypto companies like Ripple.

Warren’s team, meanwhile, has said that she will continue to push her message of financial accountability and income inequality.

Her policies target big corporations and wealthy individuals, which have been central to her political career.

Deaton’s political journey

After his military service, Deaton built a successful career as a trial attorney. He became popular during the legal battle between the SEC and Ripple, where he represented the interests of XRP holders and fought against what he saw as unfair regulation.

Deaton officially entered the race for the U.S. Senate earlier this year and won the Republican primary decisively.

On September 3, he secured 64.1% of the vote, with a total of 60,341 ballots cast in his favor. His closest rival, Robert Antonellis, managed only 26.6% of the vote, while Ian Cain pulled in 9.3%.

Deaton’s victory in the primary came with a strong campaign built on self-funding. He loaned $1 million to his campaign and raised a total of nearly $1.8 million, outpacing his Republican competitors by a wide margin.

By comparison, Antonellis spent just $38,000, while Cain used about $370,000 for his campaign. Deaton’s stance on crypto regulation has been central to his platform.

He argues that the federal government is overstepping its bounds when it comes to digital assets and that crypto can offer solutions to many of the economic challenges facing low-income Americans.

He is an outspoken critic of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which he sees as tools for government surveillance and control.

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