Although the legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appears to be nearing its conclusion, the situation remains more complex. According to former SEC attorney Marc Fagel, the $125 million fine Ripple agreed to pay has not yet been transferred to the U.S. Treasury — it remains held in escrow by Ripple’s legal counsel.
🧾 Fine Paid, But Not Yet Delivered
On the social network X, Fagel responded to speculation suggesting that Ripple had already sent the funds to the Treasury. He clarified that while Ripple did pay the fine, the money is currently being held in escrow and will only be released once both parties formally withdraw their appeals — a step that still awaits a vote from the SEC.
Fagel also dismissed rumors that Ripple paid the fine in XRP tokens instead of cash. He confirmed that the funds are in fiat currency but have not yet been disbursed.
⚖️ Court Decision Not Yet Legally Binding
Despite media reports suggesting that Ripple has already dropped its appeal, neither party has done so officially. Until both appeals are withdrawn, Judge Torres’ May 2023 decision remains unenforceable, keeping the legal battle unresolved.
📜 Regulatory Shifts in Washington May Influence the Case
The XRP case is unfolding as Washington undergoes significant regulatory changes. SEC Chair Paul Atkins recently introduced the “Project Crypto” initiative, aimed at modernizing U.S. securities laws to better accommodate digital assets and foster innovation.
The SEC has also begun approving crypto ETP creations and redemptions in-kind, similar to commodity-backed funds like gold. This evolving stance could signal a more lenient regulatory approach — potentially benefiting Ripple.
🧑⚖️ Hope for a Settlement Is Growing
Crypto lawyer Bill Morgan highlighted that the SEC’s language has noticeably softened. Instead of labeling most cryptocurrencies as securities, recent SEC statements suggest only a smaller subset might fall under that classification. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has released its long-awaited crypto policy report.
Ripple appears ready to settle its side of the case and now awaits the SEC’s next move. Once both appeals are officially dropped, the $125 million currently held in escrow will be formally transferred to the U.S. Treasury.
#Ripple , #xrp , #SEC , #crypto , #Regulation
Stay one step ahead – follow our profile and stay informed about everything important in the world of cryptocurrencies!
Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“