🤔 Why Ripple vs SEC Lawsuit Could Finally End in 2025  

The long-running #Ripple vs #SEC battle might finally be wrapping up this year. With settlement talks and a critical SEC meeting this week, the stakes are higher than ever for XRP. Here’s a quick rundown of where things stand, what’s next, and why this week could be crucial for XRP.

🔸 2024 – SEC Files For an Appeal To the Second Circuit

Last year, the SEC had filed an appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging a federal judge’s ruling that Ripple’s programmatic sales of XRP to retail customers did not violate securities laws.

🔸 January 15, 2025 – SEC Files Opening Brief To Overturn the 2023 Ruling

At the start of 2025, the SEC filed an opening brief on January 15th, in its appeal against Ripple, seeking to overturn the 2023 ruling that classified XRP sales differently for institutional and retail investors. The SEC claims all XRP sales should count as unregistered securities, arguing that Ripple’s marketing created profit expectations.

However, Ripple’s legal chief, Stuart Alderoty, brushed it off as old arguments which would be dropped by the next administration.

🔸 March 19, 2025 – Both the parties drop appeals

On March 19th this year, the SEC dropped its appeal against Ripple Labs regarding the legal status of the XRP token. This marked a significant regulatory shift for the crypto industry under the new administration.

Although Ripple scored a win on public sales, but it had to pay a $125 million fine as the court still held that institutional sales of XRP did violate securities laws.

🔸 May 8, 2025 – $50 Million Deal Finalised

Ripple and the SEC finally settled their long-running legal battle on May 8, 2025, agreeing to a $50 million deal. The deal was followed after months of appeals and negotiations. Ripple got a reduced penalty and the case ended on a favorable terms.

Both the parties also asked the court for an indicative ruling to lift the ban on #XRP sales and to release the $125 million penalty held in escrow.