In a development that could mark the closing chapter of one of the most watched legal battles in crypto history, Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have filed a joint motion to pause their appeals in the ongoing XRP lawsuit.
A Major Shift in the XRP Lawsuit
The XRP lawsuit, which began in December 2020, stems from the SEC’s accusation that Ripple sold XRP as an unregistered security. The case has since evolved into a broader debate about the classification of cryptocurrencies in the U.S., with Ripple defending XRP as a digital asset, not a security.
After more than four years of litigation, the SEC and Ripple have now jointly requested the court to hold their appeal and cross-appeal in abeyance, halting all legal activity for 60 days. According to the filing, this pause will “conserve judicial and party resources while the parties continue to pursue a negotiated resolution.”
Key Developments:
- Partial Legal Win for Ripple (July 2023): Judge Analisa Torres ruled that institutional sales violated securities laws, but programmatic sales did not.
- Leadership Change at SEC: New Chair Paul Atkins, a pro-crypto advocate, may influence the settlement’s approval.
- Market Reaction: XRP price dipped 4.24% to $1.9649 post-announcement but remains volatile.
👉 Stay updated on XRP’s legal journey
Path to Resolution and Settlement
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse declared the “end of the case” last month, while Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty signaled no cross-appeal. The motion covers all remaining litigation, including claims against Ripple executives. Observers speculate the SEC is awaiting Atkins’ leadership to finalize the settlement.
Potential Outcomes:
- Reduced Penalty: ~$50 million (down from $125 million).
- Regulatory Clarity: Precedent for crypto classification in the U.S.
- Institutional Confidence: Bank of America and other partnerships may strengthen.
Market Reactions and XRP Price Forecast
Despite the legal breakthrough, XRP’s price showed short-term volatility. Analysts remain optimistic:
- Egrag Crypto: Predicts XRP could surge to $27 long-term.
- Teucrium ETF Approval: Reflects growing institutional interest.
Current XRP Metrics (Hypothetical):
| Metric | Value |
|-----------------|---------------------|
| Price | $2.01 |
| 24h Volume | $4.14 billion |
| 24h Change | +2.36% |
Implications for the Crypto Industry
A settlement would redefine the SEC’s enforcement approach, shifting toward negotiated clarity. Ripple’s compliance could model future crypto-regulator cooperation.
FAQs:
Q: What does the joint motion mean?
A: Both parties seek to pause appeals for 60 days to negotiate a settlement, indicating potential resolution.
Q: How might XRP’s price react post-settlement?
A: Short-term volatility is likely, but long-term gains depend on regulatory clarity and institutional adoption.
Q: Will this affect other SEC crypto cases?
A: Yes—it could set a precedent for how the SEC handles similar lawsuits (e.g., Coinbase, Kraken).
👉 Explore XRP’s future potential
Looking Ahead
The next 60 days are critical. If approved, the settlement could:
- Restore Ripple’s U.S. operations.
- Boost XRP’s market position.
- Encourage clearer crypto regulations.
The crypto community watches closely as Ripple and the SEC near a historic resolution.
### Keywords:
1. Ripple
2. SEC
3. XRP lawsuit
4. Crypto settlement
5. XRP price
6. Regulatory clarity
7. Brad Garlinghouse
8. Paul Atkins
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