Ripple vs. SEC: Legal War Ends as Both Sides Drop Appeals—What’s Next for XRP?

After years of courtroom clashes, Ripple and the SEC have finally thrown in the towel—dropping all appeals in a landmark crypto legal battle.

The end of an era (or just the beginning?)

No more subpoenas, no more motions—just a quiet exit. The SEC’s crusade against Ripple fizzles out with a whimper, leaving XRP holders to wonder: Was this ever really about ‘investor protection’?

Market breathes—but stays wary

XRP price barely flinched on the news. Traders seem more focused on the next SEC target than celebrating Ripple’s pyrrhic victory. After all, in crypto, today’s regulatory win is tomorrow’s forgotten footnote.

One cynical take to rule them all

Another ‘regulation by enforcement’ chapter closes—just in time for the SEC to pick a new crypto project to bankrupt with legal fees. Place your bets on the next target!

In Brief

• Ripple and SEC drop appeals, ending a five-year legal battle over XRP’s classification.
• XRP price rebounded 11% after legal drama ended, signaling renewed investor confidence.
• Technical indicators show bullish signs, with XRP price above key moving averages and MACD rising.

Ripple and SEC Confirm Settlement, Dismiss Appeals

In a joint filing submitted on Thursday, Ripple and the SEC confirmed that each side will cover its own legal fees. This agreement officially closes the legal battle that began in 2020, when the SEC accused Ripple of violating securities laws by selling XRP. 

Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, said the case is now behind them and the company can focus on business again. Following the SEC’s internal vote, both parties formally notified the Second Circuit Appeals Court that they are dismissing their appeals.

Court’s 2023 Decision Stands as Ripple-SEC Appeals Dropped

The dispute reached a key moment in July 2023, when federal judge Analisa Torres issued a ruling that was part win, part loss for both sides. She ruled that XRP sold to everyday investors on public exchanges did not qualify as a security. 

However, XRP sold to large institutional buyers was classified as an unregistered security. Following this, Ripple was ordered to pay $125 million in fines—a lot less than the $2 billion the SEC initially demanded.

The SEC disagreed with parts of the ruling and appealed to challenge it. Ripple also appealed to defend the judge’s decision in their favor. As of now, both sides have dropped their appeals, making the 2023 ruling the final outcome on the case.

This decision came against the backdrop of a shifting regulatory climate. The SEC filed the lawsuit during Donald Trump’s first term in office, a time when crypto enforcement was tougher. Now, with Trump back for a second term, his administration is taking a lighter touch on regulating cryptocurrencies. This change influenced the SEC’s decision to drop several lawsuits, Ripple’s case included.

In May, both parties agreed on a settlement and sought to lower the $125 million penalty against Ripple. However, the judge rejected this, emphasizing that Ripple must continue to comply with securities laws despite the SEC’s change in focus.

Since Trump’s new term began, the SEC has dropped numerous crypto-related cases. Ending the appeals fits with this MOVE toward a softer regulatory stance. 

XRP Price Recovers as Technical Indicators Signal Potential Upswing

The end of the legal drama helped XRP rebound after falling from $3.50 to $2.70 in late July. In the last 24 hours, it gained over 11%, showing investor confidence returning as uncertainty fades.

Looking at XRP’s price charts, what are the technical indicators saying?

• The 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) has risen above the 100-day SMA, often a sign of a strong upward trend.
• XRP’s current price is holding above both SMAs, which act as support levels around $2.74 and $2.51.
• Meanwhile, the MACD indicator shows the line climbing toward the signal line, hinting that selling pressure is fading and a bullish crossover could spark further gains.

If XRP can break past its recent high of $3.50, the rally could gain momentum. Also, favorable regulation across the broader crypto market might boost XRP’s price even further—potentially doubling it. In fact, Standard Chartered predicted in April that XRP could increase by as much as 500% by 2028.

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