Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced that the prolonged Rippel Sec case has been completed, marked a significant victory for the San Francisco-based blockchain infrastructure company. This development reflects the varying regulatory environment under President Donald Trump, whose administration has been quick to facilitate enforcement measures against crypto companies.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had been pursuing Ripple since 2020, claiming that its sale of XRP constituted an unregistered securities offer. Garlinghouse, however, confirmed in a Bloomberg -TV interview on Wednesday that the case is now over.
Ripple’s legal struggle with Sec
The Rippel SEC case began in December 2020 when SEC claimed that Ripple collected funds illegally by selling XRP without proper registration. For over four years, Ripple fought the trial and spent more than $ 150 million in legal expenses to defend themselves.
In a crucial decisive 2023, the US district judge Analisa Torres decided that XRP only fell under securities law when sold to institutional investors. Although the SEC appealed against that decision, it has now chosen to release the case as part of a broader wave of legislative changes.
XRP -Price over voltages after the news
After the announcement that the Ripple SEC case had ended, the price of XRP increased by as much as 15%and reached $ 2.59 on Wednesday. XRP, which remains the third largest Cryptocurrency after market value after Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), have been skyrocketed with almost 400% since Trump’s election victory in November.
Analysts suggest that the termination of the case provides regulatory clarity for XRP, which can potentially encourage additional institutional assumption and paves the way for stock exchange trained funds (ETF) tied to the token.
Ripple considers the next legal steps
Despite the favorable result, Ripple is still facing a remaining decision on a fine of $ 125 million remaining in a barrier. Ripples Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty stated that the company “takes it under advice” when weighing whether they are to continue appealing aspects of the case or pay the fine.
This decision may have consequences for Ripple’s future operations and its potential plans to expand their blockchain infrastructure offers.
Ripple Eyes Acquisitions, not IPO
With the Ripple SEC case behind it, Ripple is now turning focus on acquisitions. Garlinghouse confirmed that the application for a first public offer (IPO) is not a top priority right now. Instead, Ripple plans to explore acquiring other blockchain infrastructure companies to strengthen their position in the rapidly developing crypto space.
“We will look at other things that are blockchain infrastructure companies,” said Garlinghouse, emphasizing Ripple’s commitment to growth through strategic acquisitions.
SEC facilitates crypto degradation during Trump
The end of the Ripple SEC case is part of a broader trend in which Sec, under Trump’s administration, has paused or dismissed several high-profile legal action against crypto companies. Noteworthy cases include moods against Coinbase Global Inc. (Nasdaq: Coin) and Binance Holdings Ltd., along with threats of legal action against Robinhood Markets Inc. (Nasdaq: Hood) and other decentralized platforms such as Uniswap Labs and Opensea.
Trump’s pro-crypto-standpoint has launched a friendlier regulatory climate and provides relief to the digital asset industry that had been under intensive review under President Joe Biden’s administration.
Ripple’s political influence in crypto
Ripple has also played a remarkable political role during this shift. The company was a major donor during the latest congress election cycle and contributed $ 5 million to XRP to Trump’s inaugural festivities. Ripple managers, including Garlinghouse and Alderoty, have been Photographed With Trump in Mar-A-Lago, the company emphasizes the new administration.
Trump’s pro-crypto rhetoric and actions have won him praise from members of the digital asset community, with Ripple positioned as one of the most important recipients of this policy shift.
What is next for Ripple and XRP?
With the Ripple SEC case, Ripple is well positioned to continue his growth, focusing on acquisitions and expanding its influence in blockchain infrastructure. The regulatory clarity provided by the Sec’s decision may also accelerate institutional interest in XRP, which paves the way for potential XRP-focused ETFs that can follow the success of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
When Ripple navigates in the next step, the conclusion of this landmark case signals a new era for crypto regulation in the United States, one where innovation can thrive under a more accommodating regulations.
Picture: Freepik
