John E. Deaton, a prominent lawyer representing XRP defendants, was honored with the Defender of Freedom Award by the International Congress of Blockchain Legal Advisors (ICBLA). This award recognizes Deaton’s exceptional dedication to defending the rights of XRP holders. Deaton expressed his gratitude for the award and highlighted the collective effort of the XRP community.

In a series of tweets, Deaton recounted the journey of the XRP community, which began when the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Ripple in 2020 for alleged violations of securities laws. In response to this legal battle, thousands of individuals filed a Motion to Intervene to protect XRP and challenge the SEC’s actions.

The ICBLA awarded Deaton a prize of $5,000 for his outstanding contributions to preserving freedom within the cryptocurrency community. Their statement praised Deaton’s visionary strategy, which empowered digital asset owners to oppose SEC enforcement actions. Deaton’s pro bono legal representation of tens of thousands of XRP holders in the case against Ripple Labs demonstrated his unwavering commitment to justice and freedom.

Deaton also acknowledged the XRP community’s resilience during the lengthy legal process. As XRP defendants submitted extensive evidence, including affidavits, contracts, emails, and other materials, Judge Analisa Torres rejected the regulator’s claims.

In addition, Deaton expressed his appreciation for Naomi Brockwell, co-founder of Deaton’s CryptoLaw, for her support and collaboration in the case. He emphasized that the Defender of Freedom Award was a recognition not just of his efforts but of the entire XRP community’s dedication.

This award serves as a testament to the perseverance and unity of the XRP community in the face of legal challenges, ultimately resulting in a significant victory for XRP defendants.