Ripple and SEC reach agreement to conclude long-standing legal battle; $125M escrow to be partially returned
Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have officially reached a settlement, concluding one of the most closely watched legal battles in the crypto space.
Key Points:
Ripple will pay a $50 million fine to the SEC.
The remaining $75 million from a $125M civil escrow account will be returned to Ripple.
Both parties requested the court to terminate existing restrictions on Ripple’s operations.
The case closure may impact XRP price and broader crypto regulatory sentiment.
Settlement Details
According to crypto journalist Wu Shuo, the settlement involves both Ripple and the SEC submitting a joint request to the court. The request aims to:
Lift the ban previously imposed on Ripple, and
Release $125 million in escrowed civil penalties.
As part of the agreement, Ripple will forfeit $50 million to the SEC, while the remaining $75 million will revert back to the company.
Regulatory and Market Impact
This development marks a significant turning point in the SEC’s enforcement campaign against crypto companies, particularly around the classification of digital assets like XRP.
The resolution of the case could:
Strengthen Ripple’s position in U.S. and global markets,
Influence XRP’s legal clarity, and
Affect the tone of future SEC lawsuits involving other crypto firms.
