Ripple-SEC Case: Settlement Likely as Trump Administration Signals Shift
Key Points:
- Former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel predicts a settlement in the XRP lawsuit due to mutual appeals.
- Both Ripple and the SEC appealed the unfavorable parts of Judge Analisa Torres’ ruling, leading to a pending penalty decision.
- Pro-XRP lawyer Jeremy Hogan anticipates the case to conclude by April or May 2025.
- Incoming SEC Chair Paul Atkins may drop the appeal, prompting an end to the lawsuit under the Trump administration.
As the SEC’s deadline to file an appeal approaches, Marc Fagel, a former SEC enforcement attorney, suggested a high likelihood of settlement due to the appeals from both sides. He noted that the penalty of $125 million for Ripple’s $700 million unregistered securities sale remains on hold pending the appeal process.
Fagel believes the incoming Trump administration and SEC Chair Paul Atkins may opt to avoid pursuing further appeals, favoring a settlement based on the court’s current ruling. However, he also speculated that the SEC under outgoing Chair Gary Gensler is likely to submit an appeal before the January 15 deadline.
XRP Lawsuit Timeline and Market Impact
Lawyer Jeremy Hogan predicts that the XRP lawsuit will likely conclude by mid-2025 due to the procedural complexities involved, including report submissions, memos, and SEC meetings.
Hogan reiterated that Atkins is expected to settle the case upon assuming office, further boosting market confidence in XRP.
Market Reactions and Predictions
The crypto community expects that the resolution of the Ripple case will pave the way for an XRP ETF approval and potentially trigger significant price rallies.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse criticized the SEC’s previous approach under Gensler, claiming that regulatory hurdles hindered the company’s growth in the U.S. He highlighted recent progress, noting that 75% of Ripple’s job openings are U.S.-based, with several new deals secured domestically in recent weeks.
Garlinghouse credited the “Trump effect” for fostering innovation, praising figures like Scott Bessent, David Sacks, and Paul Atkins for their pro-crypto stance.
XRP Price Outlook
Analysts forecast a bullish trajectory for XRP, with some predicting a price rally similar to the 400% surge following Trump’s re-election. In the short term, XRP is expected to consolidate within its current price range before making a push toward new all-time highs.
CrediBULL Crypto, a prominent market analyst, noted that XRP is currently trading near key liquidity zones, signaling a potential long trade opportunity in the coming weeks.
