Regulatory policy scholar and Forbes reporter, Roslyn Layton, has filed a motion to intervene in the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple to petition the court for access to the Hinman speech documents. Layton has written extensively about the role of these documents in the lawsuit and believes that they should be released to the public. She argues that the people need to see them to understand the SEC’s thought process and communicate what it means for the future of cryptocurrency. The SEC moved to seal some of the Hinman speech documents that it offered in support of its summary judgment motion in December 2022.
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New Motion Filed for Access to Hinman Speech Documents in Ripple vs. SEC Lawsuit
The Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit regarding XRP has been a topic of conversation within the crypto community for quite some time now. However, just when we thought the only update we could get was on the settlement or finishing of the lawsuit, we received breaking news. Rosslyn Layton, a writer for Forbes who has covered the SEC vs. Ripple extensively, has filed a motion to intervene in the case and petition the court for access to the Hinman speech documents.
Who is Rosslyn Layton?
Rosslyn Layton has written many articles about the Hinman speech documents, highlighting the central role they play in this case, which she has dubbed the cryptocurrency trial of the century. She is a columnist and regulatory policy scholar, a visiting researcher at Albert University, and an executive vice president of Strand Consulting. Dr. Layton has no financial stake in Ripple or XRP and no financial interest in this case whatsoever.
What is the Hinman Speech Document?
The Hinman speech document refers to a speech given by former SEC director of Corporation Finance William Hinman in June 2018. The document is highly relevant to the SEC vs. Ripple case as it could shed light on the SEC’s understanding of cryptocurrencies and their status. The SEC moved to seal some of the Hinman speech documents that it offered in support of its summary judgment motion on December 22, 2022.
Why is Public Access to the Document Important?
Dr. Layton argues that there are no countervailing factors weighing against disclosure, and the presumption favoring public release of the Hinman speech documents is particularly strong. What the SEC has discussed internally can have very significant consequences for the future of crypto. The document could provide insights into what the SEC was thinking when they came to their understanding of crypto’s status.
Conclusion
Layton’s motion to intervene and petition for access to the Hinman speech documents is a significant development in the ongoing Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit. For some, it may not seem like a big deal. However, for those following the lawsuit closely, this is a critical moment in the case. It is vital that the public has access to these documents as they could provide much-needed insights into the SEC’s regulation of cryptocurrencies.
