XRP Army Fueled Ripple’s Landmark SEC Victory, Deaton Reveals

The grassroots movement behind XRP didn't just cheer from the sidelines—they became the legal artillery that helped Ripple score its historic win against the SEC.

Community as Legal Force Multiplier

Deaton's analysis shows how organized retail holders disrupted the traditional David-versus-Goliath narrative. While Wall Street lawyers bill by the hour, the XRP Army crowdsourced legal research, amplified strategic messaging, and maintained relentless pressure through coordinated advocacy.

Regulatory Warfare Meets Digital Democracy

The case demonstrates how decentralized communities can level the playing field against institutional giants. Instead of waiting for regulatory clarity—that perennial promise that never quite materializes—token holders actively shaped their own regulatory outcome through strategic mobilization.

Of course, the SEC will likely appeal because that's what bureaucracies do when their authority gets challenged by something they can't control—like actual market participants. Meanwhile, the victory proves that in crypto's regulatory battles, community might just be the ultimate hedge fund.

XRP Holders Stepped Up for Ripple

Deaton, who represented XRP tokenholders, said thousands of investors helped shape the outcome. “No credible person can argue that the XRP Army didn’t make a difference in the Ripple case,” he wrote on X.

He explained that over 2,000 exhibits, including affidavits from XRP holders, were filed in court, and Judge Torres even cited them in her ruling.

Ripple executives agree. Deborah McCrimmon, Ripple’s deputy general counsel, praised the XRP community for providing crucial research. “I could have paid lawyers thousands of dollars, literally thousands of dollars,” to do what the XRP Army did for free, she said on The Penta Podcast.

Their work supported Ripple’s fair notice defense, which argued the SEC never gave clear guidance on crypto regulation.

From Courtroom to Market Impact 

The case not only made legal history but also shook the markets. After the July 2023 ruling, XRP surged 72%, climbing from $0.47 to $0.81. Ahead of the final settlement in August 2025, it rallied again, hitting a record high of $3.64 before cooling. Currently, XRP trades around $2.85, up about 0.43% in the last 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.

For Deaton, the lesson is simple, “One person can inspire many people, and together, they can make a difference.”

Also Read: XRP ETF Approval Odds Surge to 87% as Price Consolidates at $2.80