Ripple’s SEC Settlement Bombshell: Zero XRP Paid – Here’s What Really Went Down

Ripple just dodged a bullet—and the SEC didn't get paid in XRP. Here's the inside scoop.

The settlement that shocked crypto

After years of legal wrangling, Ripple's final settlement with regulators left one glaring absence: no XRP changing hands. The SEC's war chest remains crypto-free—for now.

Why this matters for digital assets

The outcome sets a precedent that could reshape how regulators approach crypto enforcement. No precedent for paying fines in the very tokens they claim are securities? How very... convenient for the SEC's cashflow.

Wall Street's old guard won't like this one bit—but in crypto, we call that validation.

As the Ripple vs. SEC case moves forward, rumors are growing on X (formerly Twitter) that Ripple could pay its SEC fine using XRP tokens while the price is still low. Some believe this might happen before ETF approvals and the FedNow launch on July 14.

Ripple Paying SEC Fine in Cash, Not XRP

However, former SEC official Marc Fagel has put those rumors to rest saying they are not paying in XRP.  Instead, the money is already set aside in cash inside an escrow account. 

They’re not paying in XRP. It’s sitting in an escrow account in cash.

An XRP supporter also said the token is SAFE for now and explained that while tokens can be moved, it’s an all-or-nothing system..

XRP Price Reacts to Uncertainty

Recently, crypto analyst John Squire had suggested that the U.S. government might seize Ripple’s escrowed XRP and hold it as a national reserve. However, Bill Morgan shut down the idea by simply stating “it wont”.

No it won’t. https://t.co/48zQvTBUg9

Amid these rumours, xrp price had dropped over 2%. However, crypto prices spiked today after President Trump announced a ceasefire deal between Iran and Israel. Bitcoin rose nearly 3% as it climbed above $106,000. XRP also posted gains around 6% in the last 24 hours.

No Long Delay in Sight

There were speculations that the Ripple vs. SEC case could drag into late 2026. But Bill Morgan clarified that such a delay is unlikely, unless Judge Torres rejects the current joint proposal. The most probable outcome, he says, is both parties accepting the summary judgment, along with a penalty and permanent injunction.

The court is now waiting on a key SEC filing due by mid-August. The XRP community remains on edge, unsure of what Judge Torres might decide next. Experts say that “it could go either way” but nobody has backed the idea of a delay into 2026.