Ripple CEO Confirms SEC Case Has Concluded, Says "We Are Closing This Chapter"

Ripple's CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, has announced the end of one of the most famous legal battles in cryptocurrency. In a recent post on X, Garlinghouse stated, "Ripple is withdrawing our cross-appeal and the SEC is expected to withdraw their appeal, as they have stated previously. We will close this chapter once and for all, and focus on what matters most – building the Internet of Value. Lock it up." His statement marks a pivotal turning point in the nearly five-year legal battle between Ripple Labs and the SEC, a lawsuit that has shaped the regulatory landscape for digital assets in the United States. Ending a Landmark Case The SEC first filed a lawsuit against Ripple in December 2020, alleging that the company's XRP token was sold as an unregistered security. The lawsuit has seen many legal milestones, the most important being the ruling by Judge Analisa Torres in July 2023.

She discovered that while the sale of XRP by Ripple as an organization violated securities laws, the sale under the program on public exchanges did not violate, bringing a partial victory for Ripple and setting an important precedent for the cryptocurrency industry. Despite the ruling, both sides have filed appeals: Ripple is appealing the civil penalty of 125 million dollars and the permanent injunction against the organization's sales transactions, while the SEC initially sought to review the ruling on programmatic sales. That changed at the beginning of this year. In March 2025, the SEC notified the court that they would not pursue an appeal. Meanwhile, Ripple continues to contest the fine and injunction, ultimately proposing a settlement of 50 million and requesting the court to lift the restrictions. But on June 26, 2025, Judge Torres dismissed this motion, stating that the final ruling could not be overturned without just cause. Just one day later, Garlinghouse publicly confirmed that Ripple would withdraw its cross-appeal. The SEC is expected to do so by withdrawing its appeal, bringing an end to the prolonged litigation. What Does the Result Mean? By avoiding further appeals, both parties accepted the original ruling. Ripple will pay the full fine of 125 million dollars and must still comply with the injunction restricting the sale of XRP by institutions in the United States. However, the 2023 ruling that XRP is not a security when traded on public platforms remains unchallenged, reinforcing the legal clarity of XRP for the retail market. This result is not only a legal solution but also a strategic solution. It dispels the cloud of instability that has surrounded Ripple and XRP for many years, allowing the company to focus on growth, product expansion, and market acquisition without being distracted by court battles. The Next Chapter of Ripple Garlinghouse has made it clear that Ripple is currently focused on its core mission: building the Internet of Value. This vision revolves around creating a blockchain-based payment infrastructure that enables real-time, low-cost cross-border money transfers, particularly using XRP as a liquidity bridge asset. With regulatory clarity regarding the retail status of XRP and the legal battle behind it, Ripple will be in a better position to attract partners, expand enterprise services, and drive innovation in the global payment ecosystem. The saga between Ripple and SEC may finally be coming to an end, but its impact will continue to ripple throughout the cryptocurrency industry for years to come.