XRP News Today: John Deaton's Crypto-Fueled War on Washington: Challenging 'MIA' Senators in Blue Massachusetts

John Deaton, a Republican attorney and cryptocurrency advocate, has officially launched his 2026 campaign for the U.S. Senate seat held by Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey, marking a renewed push to bring his pro-crypto agenda to Washington. Deaton, who previously challenged Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2024, faces long odds in the deeply blue state but aims to leverage his background as a crypto-friendly lawyer and Marine veteran to rally support.

Deaton's campaign, announced at a Worcester event, positions him as a populist alternative to Markey, whom he criticized as "MIA" and out of touch with working families. "Massachusetts is in deep trouble because of the high costs of housing, energy, and child care," Deaton said, echoing themes from his 2024 run. His platform emphasizes reducing costs, challenging "career politicians," and advocating for what he calls "independent leadership" in a Congress he claims has failed to address inflation and affordability, as MassLive reported.

The 2024 election, in which Deaton lost to Warren by 20 percentage points, offers a blueprint for his strategy. That campaign,

backed by crypto industry donations-including $500,000 in Bitcoin from the Winklevoss twins-highlighted his defense of XRP holders and clashes with regulators like the SEC, as WBUR noted. This time, Deaton faces Markey, a senior senator known for his climate and tech policies, including legislation targeting crypto energy consumption. While crypto's role in the race may be less prominent due to the pro-crypto Trump administration's regulatory shifts, Deaton's campaign still accepts donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP, as The Globe reported.

Markey's campaign has dismissed Deaton as an unproven candidate, with manager Cam Charbonnier noting his 2024 loss and calling Massachusetts a "no-elect" for Republicans, as CryptoNews reported. Deaton, however, argues that his Marine Corps service and working-class roots-detailed in his memoir Food Stamp Warrior-give him a unique connection to voters. He also benefits from endorsements within the state GOP, including potential backing from the Massachusetts Republican Party, which could streamline his path to the ballot.

The race's dynamics are further complicated by Markey's primary challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton, who has focused on generational change and Markey's age. Deaton's campaign video conspicuously features clips of the Moulton, Markey, and Warren, framing them as "career politicians", as Decrypt reported. Yet, Deaton's appeal may be limited by Massachusetts' political leanings; the state has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 2010.

For the crypto industry, Deaton represents a potential ally in a Congress where regulatory uncertainty persists. His 2024 campaign drew significant crypto funding, though industry support this time remains unclear. Ripple's recent partnership with Mastercard to test stablecoin settlements, however, underscores the growing intersection of crypto and traditional finance-a space Deaton has long navigated as a lawyer, as Cointelegraph reported.

'I'm one of you': Republican John Deaton declares for US Senate https://www.masslive.com/politics/2025/11/im-one-of-you-republican-john-deaton-declares-for-us-senate-against-ed-markey.html

John Deaton, Republican cryptocurrency advocate, launches Senate bid https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/11/10/john-deaton-republican-cryptocurrency-senate-markey

A year after losing one Senate race, John Deaton to run in 2026 https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/10/nation/john-deaton-republican-challenge-senate-ed-markey/

Crypto Lawyer John Deaton Announces New US Senate Bid https://cryptonews.com/news/crypto-lawyer-john-deaton-announces-new-us-senate-bid/

Pro-XRP Lawyer John Deaton Is Running for Senate in Massachusetts https://decrypt.co/348240/pro-xrp-lawyer-john-deaton-running-senate-massachusetts-again?amp=1

How Ripple plans to bridge crypto and Wall Street in its $4B expansion https://cointelegraph.com/news/how-ripple-plans-to-bridge-crypto-and-wall-street-in-its-4b-expansion