Home Democrats have accused the SEC of abandoning many high-profile investigations, together with its authorized battle with Ripple, which has introduced consideration again to the company’s dealing with of crypto enforcement.
The claims, which have been outlined in a January 15 letter to SEC Chair Paul Atkins, raised questions on why a number of circumstances have been dropped after favorable court docket rulings and whether or not political relationships performed any position in these selections. Nonetheless, based on crypto lawyer Invoice Morgan, these circumstances are wrapped up, completed, and dusted.
Lawmakers Say SEC Walked Away From Main Crypto Instances
In a January 15, 2026 letter addressed to Atkins, Home Democrats accused the company of dramatically scaling again crypto enforcement since early 2025. The lawmakers claimed the SEC has dismissed or closed greater than a dozen main crypto-related circumstances, together with actions in opposition to Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, and Ripple, regardless of having acquired favorable court docket rulings in a few of these issues.
In accordance with the letter, corporations whose circumstances or investigations have been dismissed donated at the least $1 million every to Trump’s inauguration. This raises considerations about an unmistakable inference of a pay-to-play scheme, investor safety and market integrity at a time when digital belongings are beginning to turn into deeply intertwined with capital markets.
A lot of the letter’s criticism was targeted on the SEC’s resolution to hunt and preserve a keep in its case in opposition to Justin Solar, which has now been in place for about 11 months now. In contrast to all the opposite circumstances, the SEC’s case in opposition to Justin Solar has not but been dismissed. Democratic Lawmakers claimed this transfer sends a harmful sign that political connections might affect enforcement outcomes.
The letter explicitly referenced Solar’s reported monetary ties to companies linked to Donald Trump. One in every of which was Solar’s reveal in September 2025 that he was buying an extra $10 million price of $WLFI tokens from World Liberty Monetary (WLFI), a Trump household enterprise.
In accordance with the democrats, such circumstances may undermine public belief within the SEC’s independence. The Letter additionally seeks info associated to the SEC’s data of Solar’s ties to the Individuals’s Republic of China and any CCP-affiliated individuals or entities.
Crypto Lawyer Pushes Again On Ripple Lawsuit Speak
The letter by Home Democrats brings into focus whether or not political stress may result in a brand new motion in opposition to Ripple and different companies. Nonetheless, based on Morgan, this isn’t potential.
Morgan dismissed the concept the SEC may merely relaunch circumstances it has already litigated or closed on the identical grounds, pointing to the authorized doctrine of res judicata. Below that precept, as soon as a matter has been conclusively determined between the identical events, it can’t be retried on equivalent points.
“Too dangerous the SEC can’t go in opposition to these corporations once more on the identical issues. Res Judicata child. Reside with it fools,” he stated.
Nonetheless, one unresolved query hangs over the broader controversy. In contrast to the opposite crypto circumstances cited within the lawmakers’ letter, the SEC’s motion in opposition to Justin Solar has not been formally dismissed and could be revisited anytime.
Featured picture from Getty Photos, chart from TradingView
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