In a significant development, Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have filed a joint motion to pause their ongoing appeals, aiming to finalize settlement terms in their long-standing legal dispute. This move follows a tentative agreement where the SEC will return $75 million of the $125 million fine previously imposed on Ripple, retaining $50 million to settle the case .

The proposed settlement, subject to approval by the court and SEC commissioners, comes after a July 2023 ruling by Judge Analisa Torres. The judge determined that Ripple’s programmatic sales of XRP to retail investors did not violate federal securities laws, though institutional sales did, leading to the initial $125 million penalty .

As part of the settlement, Ripple has agreed to drop its cross-appeal, and the SEC will request the court to lift the standard injunction imposed against Ripple . This development is seen as a positive signal for XRP holders and the broader cryptocurrency market, potentially paving the way for increased regulatory clarity and investor confidence.

The $XRP token experienced a brief uptick following the news, reflecting market optimism about the potential resolution of the case. However, the final outcome remains contingent on the formal approval of the settlement terms by the relevant authorities.