Ripple and SEC Pause Appeals Amid Settlement Talks

Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have jointly requested the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to pause their respective appeals, signaling a potential resolution in the long-running legal battle. The filing states both parties have reached an “agreement-in-principle,” though the deal still requires final approval from SEC commissioners.

This development follows Ripple’s decision in late March to drop its cross-appeal after the SEC agreed to significantly reduce the proposed fine and eliminate the injunction request against the blockchain company. As a result, Ripple will no longer submit its legal brief previously due on April 16.

The SEC also formally dropped its appeal, marking a major de-escalation in the high-profile case that began in late 2020 under former Chairman Jay Clayton. The lawsuit had accused Ripple of conducting an unregistered securities offering via XRP sales.

The case has drawn widespread attention from crypto investors and regulatory experts due to its potential to shape how digital assets are classified in the U.S. Meanwhile, the SEC continues its enforcement activities in other cases, recently asking a district court to deny an emergency motion by Justin W. Keener, who sought to introduce last-minute evidence.

Ripple’s XRP has responded positively to the news, with bullish momentum and renewed investor optimism. Some analysts, including Standard Chartered, have issued bold predictions for XRP’s price potential, suggesting it could reach $12.50 in a future bullish scenario.

This latest legal development marks a significant turning point for Ripple and could have broader implications for crypto regulation in the United States.