The lawyer, representing 4,701 Coinbase customers, has filed a brief in support of Coinbase's appeal against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as part of his advocacy in the crypto space, offering his services pro bono.

John Deaton, a crypto lawyer currently campaigning for a Senate seat against Elizabeth Warren, submitted an amicus brief on April 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The brief supports Coinbase's motion for interlocutory appeal and represents the interests of Coinbase customers rather than the exchange itself.

Deaton's brief argues against the SEC's enforcement actions, suggesting that the regulator does not adequately represent digital asset users and investors and provides limited regulatory guidance. He referenced previous SEC civil cases, such as the one involving Debt Box, where he claimed the SEC prioritized harming a crypto company over truth and justice, leading to the commission being sanctioned by a judge.

While Deaton's actions have been linked to his Senate campaign, he began representing Coinbase customers in June 2023, before announcing his candidacy. His recent motion for the amicus brief was successful, according to an April 19 X post.

In response to the appeal, Coinbase's Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal stated that the interlocutory appeal questions whether the term "investment contract," a basis for determining securities under SEC rules, requires contractual obligations post-sale. This legal issue is significant in Coinbase's case against the SEC.

Deaton emphasized the importance of representing end users of crypto technology and not allowing biased agencies to speak for them, while also noting that customers do not necessarily want Coinbase to represent them.

With the Senate election approaching in less than six months, it remains uncertain how Deaton's legal actions may impact his campaign, especially considering the divergent views on digital assets between him and Senator Warren, who has recently advocated for stricter measures against crypto use in payments for illegal activities.