Ripple vs. SEC: A New Chapter in Cryptocurrency Regulation
The much-anticipated resolution of the longstanding legal battle between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seems imminent, according to recent updates. Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, took to social media on March 19 to announce what could be a pivotal moment for the company and the broader crypto sector.
Ripple’s Triumph: A New Era for Cryptocurrency
In a post that resonated throughout the crypto community, Garlinghouse declared, “This is it – the moment we’ve been waiting for. The SEC will drop its appeal – a resounding victory for Ripple, for crypto, every way you look at it.” This announcement heralds a potential shift in how cryptocurrencies could be regulated in the future.
Advertisement Banner
Legal Developments: The Path to Resolution
Further insights came on March 25 from Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, who provided what he called his ‘final’ update on the case. According to Alderoty, the SEC has agreed to dismiss the case unconditionally, while Ripple will retract its cross-appeal. Notably, the SEC retains $50 million of the original $125 million fine, with the remaining amount being returned to Ripple Labs.
However, the SEC has yet to officially confirm these developments, leaving some uncertainty around the finality of the proceedings. As of March 27, the SEC’s silence suggests that legal formalities are still underway.
Timeline for Conclusion: What to Expect
Despite the lack of confirmation from the SEC, experts suggest that the case will conclude within 60 days. Journalist Eleanor Terrett, citing reliable sources, suggested that the delay might relate to the original court ruling’s permanent injunction against selling XRP to institutional investors.
Crypto attorney Fred Rispoli outlined a potential timeline in a social media post, indicating that the SEC has up to 30 days to vote on dropping the case. Following this, a motion to lift the injunction will be filed, which Judge Torres is expected to address within 30 days.
XRP’s Market Performance and Future Prospects
The initial excitement following Garlinghouse’s announcement saw XRP’s price surge to $2.55, though it quickly corrected to $2.38, shedding $11 billion in market capitalization. As of March 27, XRP stands at $2.34, marking a 5.95% decline over the week. Despite this volatility, XRP has achieved a 12.21% year-to-date increase.
Looking at the broader picture, XRP has added approximately $100 billion to its market cap over the past year, outperforming the general crypto market in 2025. Analysts remain optimistic about XRP’s future. Bitget researcher Ryan Lee suggests a potential rally to $10 by 2030 if XRP surpasses $2.55. Meanwhile, technical analyst Gert van Lagen posits a conservative target of $38, based on a long-term chart analysis.
While XRP’s journey is not without challenges, the resolution of the Ripple vs. SEC case is expected to bolster its position and potentially reshape the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies.
