In a pivotal turn of events, Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced on June 27, 2025, that Ripple will officially withdraw its cross-appeal in the long-running SEC lawsuit over XRP sales. Meanwhile, the SEC is also expected to abandon its own appeal.
This move effectively brings a close to one of the crypto industryâs most high-profile legal battles â a dispute that has cast a long shadow over XRP since December 2020, when the SEC first alleged that Rippleâs institutional sales of XRP constituted unregistered securities offerings.
âď¸ The Legal Journey: From Uncertainty to Closure
The original court ruling in July 2023 was a partial victory for both sides:
It determined that XRP was not a security when sold on public exchanges, protecting retail and secondary market transactions.
However, it did find that Rippleâs direct institutional sales violated securities laws, leading Ripple to pay significant penalties.
Both Ripple and the SEC had filed cross-appeals, prolonging the regulatory cloud hanging over XRP. By now withdrawing these appeals, both parties signal they are ready to move on â effectively cementing the 2023 judgment as the final word.
đĄ Why This Is Majorly Bullish for XRP
â Regulatory clarity finally arrives:
For nearly five years, the uncertainty around whether XRP could be classified as a security in the U.S. has held back its adoption by institutions, exchanges, and even payment providers. That fog is now lifting.
â New doors for institutional interest:
With the legal overhang gone, U.S.-based exchanges and financial institutions may feel more comfortable listing or integrating XRP again. It also improves the odds of future products like XRP-based ETFs.
â Market sentiment boost:
Crypto investors generally price in risk, and regulatory risk has been one of the heaviest anchors on XRP. This resolution could trigger a fresh wave of optimism, positioning XRP more securely among top-tier digital assets.
â ď¸ But a Note of Caution
The original ruling still confirmed that Rippleâs institutional sales of XRP did violate U.S. securities laws, which means large structured deals involving XRP will likely require compliance measures going forward. While this isnât a death knell â far from it â it does mean Ripple will have to navigate a clearer but still cautious regulatory landscape for institutional products.
đ Whatâs Next for XRP?
The end of this legal battle positions XRP to regain its status not only as a liquidity bridge for global payments, but also as a serious contender in institutional-grade crypto products. Coupled with recent bullish developments â such as the European Central Bankâs pilot program involving XRP Ledger for wholesale digital euro infrastructure â the stage may be set for XRPâs long-awaited next chapter.
đ Final Takeaway
Ripple dropping its cross-appeal (alongside the SEC) is overwhelmingly good news for XRP. It removes a massive legal hurdle, brightens the outlook for broader adoption, and could reignite market enthusiasm.
For XRP holders, after nearly half a decade of courtroom suspense, this moment might finally mark the start of a new era â one driven by growth, not litigation.
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đ Final Conclusion on Rippleâs withdrawal & SEC case end
â Ripple dropping its cross-appeal (and the SEC expected to do the same) is overwhelmingly bullish for XRP.
It effectively locks in the 2023 judgment, which means:
XRP is not a security when traded on public exchanges.
The biggest legal threat to XRP existence in the U.S. is over.
This clears a massive cloud thatâs hung over XRP for nearly 5 years.
In short:
đ Legal clarity is finally here.
đ XRP can now grow on its own fundamentals â adoption, utility, partnerships â not courtroom headlines.
đŚ What about XRP ETFs?
The end of the lawsuit massively improves the odds of XRP ETFs in the future.
Previously, no issuer would dare file for a U.S. spot XRP ETF with that regulatory uncertainty hanging over it.
Now, the âXRP is not a security on exchangesâ clarity makes it structurally similar to BTC & ETH, which the SEC has already allowed ETFs for.
â ď¸ But:
This doesnât mean an $XRP ETF is coming next month.
Asset managers will wait for new filings, SEC to review them, and probably further market structure clarity.
Expect a year or more before serious ETF momentum (unless political/regulatory shifts speed things up).
đ° So what happens to $XRPâmarket value without ETFs?
â XRP can still gain value purely from fundamentals:
Global partnerships (banks, remittance corridors, ODL)
Major projects like the ECBâs wholesale digital euro pilot on the $XRP
Institutional payment flows outside the U.S.
The lawsuit ending alone could push XRPâs value higher simply by removing the fear discount thatâs been suppressing it.
(Thatâs why many analysts already eye targets like $1.20â$1.50 in near-term scenarios even without ETFs.)
đĽ Short verdict:
â End of appeals = end of existential threat.
â ETF possibility becomes realistic (not immediate, but unlocked).
â Without ETFs, $XRP market can still thrive on utility, especially cross-border settlements and new payment rails.
â With ETFs later, itâs a multiplier effect on liquidity and price discovery.
Simple Lookđ
XRP without ETFs:
Can still grow from banks, payments, and global use.
Price may climb slowly as more people and businesses use it.
XRP with ETFs:
Big funds can easily buy XRP.
This could bring way more money in fast, pushing the price much higher, much quicker.
Market Value Now
Without EFTs :-
â˘$33â35 billion market cap at ~$0.60â$0.65
With EFTs :-
â˘Could jump to ~$150â$250 billion market cap if ETFs drive huge institutional inflows
Whoâs buying?
Without EFTs :-
â˘Retail investors, global payments, banks using XRP for transfers.
With EFTs :-
â˘Big funds, ETFs, retirement accounts, plus the same retail & banks
Price Potential
Without EFTs :-
â˘Steady growth from adoption: ~$1.50â$2.50 possible as banks + ECB projects expand
With EFTs :-
â˘Much faster moves: ~$3â$5+ realistic as ETFs unlock new demand
What drives it?
Without EFTs :-
â˘Real-world use (remittances, cross-border payments) & traders betting on tech
With EFTs :-
â˘Same, but multiplied by massive easy access for institutions#