XRP Price Stagnation Breaks Free from Ripple SEC Lawsuit Shadow - Here’s What’s Really Driving the Market Now

XRP's price paralysis has finally decoupled from the courtroom drama that haunted it for years.

The New Market Reality

Forget the legal headlines—XRP's stagnation stems from broader macroeconomic forces and shifting institutional adoption patterns. The digital asset moves to its own rhythm now, untethered from regulatory developments that once dictated every price swing.

Technical Breakthrough or Breakdown?

Trading volumes tell the real story: institutional money flows where regulatory clarity exists, and XRP's technical infrastructure faces stiffer competition than ever. The network effect that once propelled Ripple's native token now battles against faster, cheaper alternatives.

The Institutional Perspective

Hedge funds and crypto natives alike reposition portfolios based on utility metrics rather than legal outcomes. XRP's real test isn't in court documents but in daily transaction volumes and developer activity—where the numbers speak louder than any judge's ruling.

Meanwhile, traditional finance still can't decide whether crypto is the future or just another way to separate retail investors from their retirement funds. Some things never change.

TLDR

• XRP price stagnation is no longer justified by the SEC lawsuit, says lawyer Bill Morgan.
• Ripple’s $125 million fine has been paid, removing one of the major legal hurdles.
• XRP’s market price struggles despite the launch of its first U.S. ETF.
• Adoption continues to grow, yet XRP’s price remains flat, prompting fresh questions.

XRP’s price has remained stagnant, despite the long-running legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finally coming to an end. The conclusion of this lawsuit, marked by Ripple’s settlement with the SEC, was expected to result in a surge in XRP’s value, but this has not been the case. Bill Morgan, a pro-XRP lawyer, has emphasized that the legal excuse for XRP’s flat price has now run its course, urging the community to look beyond the lawsuit for reasons behind the token’s lack of price movement.

XRP’s price has been hovering around $2.80, with little movement in recent months. After the legal battle with the SEC concluded in mid-2023, market observers had hoped that XRP WOULD experience a price rally. Instead, it has seen minimal gains, and its market cap and trading volume have remained relatively unchanged.

Legal Battle and the $125 Million Fine

The Ripple-SEC case, which began in 2020, was a major factor in the price volatility of XRP. The SEC accused Ripple of conducting an unregistered securities offering worth $1.3 billion, which led to years of uncertainty for XRP holders. The case concluded in May 2025 with Ripple paying a $125 million penalty and agreeing to a settlement that allowed the firm to continue operations without admitting wrongdoing.

The payment of this fine was finalized in August 2025, clearing the final legal hurdle for Ripple. Despite this, XRP has not seen the expected price surge. The question now arises: if the legal battles are behind Ripple, what is holding the price back? XRP’s market behavior suggests that the legal excuse is no longer a valid reason for the asset’s stagnation.

XRP Struggles Despite Positive Developments

The XRP ecosystem continues to grow, with new developments indicating increasing adoption of the cryptocurrency. One of the most significant recent events was the launch of the first U.S. spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), which saw impressive volume on its first day. However, despite this achievement, XRP’s price has failed to respond positively, leading to growing concerns among investors and analysts.

In addition to the ETF launch, XRP’s adoption is also expanding internationally. In Japan, for example, the gaming company Gumi established an XRP treasury worth approximately $17 million, indicating growing institutional interest.

Furthermore, the Flare Network launched a stablecoin backed by XRP, enhancing the use of XRP in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. These developments could have provided a boost to XRP’s price, but they have not resulted in significant price movement.