John Squire, a prominent voice in the XRP community, recently posed a pointed question on X: “If the SEC settles with XRP, what’s your next move? I know mine, curious to hear yours.” What may sound like a casual prompt is, in truth, a timely question with enormous weight, especially as Ripple’s legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission appears to be entering its final chapter.
The Legal Fog Begins to Lift
The SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple, filed in December 2020, accused the company of conducting an unregistered securities offering through institutional sales of XRP. The case quickly became a defining moment in crypto regulation. In July 2023, Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP sold on secondary markets does not constitute a security, delivering a partial win for Ripple and the broader crypto community.
However, the court found Ripple liable for certain institutional sales. Last month, both parties filed a proposed settlement addressing these violations. Judge Torres rejected that agreement due to procedural issues, prompting a swift refile—now awaiting final judicial review. With that refile completed, legal observers believe a final decision is imminent, setting the stage for regulatory clarity around XRP in the U.S.
What Happens After a Settlement?
A finalized settlement would be transformative. For years, XRP’s growth in the American market has been stifled by regulatory ambiguity. Should the court accept the revised agreement, XRP may finally shed its legal baggage. Institutions and fintech firms that have long watched from the sidelines could re-engage with the XRP Ledger, this time with greater legal assurance.
Ripple, meanwhile, would be free to fully execute its vision: expanding the adoption of RLUSD (its U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin), advancing real-world asset tokenization, and deepening partnerships with banks and governments through RippleNet and the XRPL.
Traders, Investors, and the Psychology of Holding
John Squire’s question strikes at the heart of investor sentiment. For many XRP holders, the lawsuit has been a test of endurance, years marked by suppressed prices, delistings, and uncertainty. If settlement marks the finish line, will it also signal an exit point?
Some may choose to sell, viewing the expected price spike as a long-awaited opportunity to realize profits. Others will double down, convinced that regulatory clarity is just the beginning of XRP’s real utility-based growth. And some hold not merely for financial gain, but because they believe in XRP’s role as core infrastructure in the next evolution of global finance.
A Defining Moment Approaches
This isn’t just a legal turning point, it’s a psychological one. Squire’s question is really about more than price. It’s about purpose. After years of speculation, fear, and doubt, the community must now decide what XRP truly represents in their portfolios and their convictions.
With the final ruling expected soon, XRP holders will face a moment of truth. A new era beckons. The next move? It’s yours to make.
