Ripple Drops Cross-Appeal, Marking an End to the SEC vs. Ripple Case
The SEC v Ripple case concluded on Tuesday, March 25, ending a four-year legal battle that weighed on XRP and the broader crypto market. Ripple withdrew its cross-appeal shortly after the SEC dropped its appeal against the Programmatic Sales of XRP ruling.
Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty announced the development, stating:
“The final crossing of t’s and dotting of i’s – and what should be my last update on SEC v Ripple ever… Last week, the SEC agreed to drop its appeal without conditions. Ripple has now agreed to drop its cross-appeal. The SEC will keep $50M of the $125M fine (already in an interest-bearing escrow in cash), with the balance returned to Ripple. The agency will also ask the Court to lift the standard injunction that was imposed earlier at the SEC’s request. All subject to Commission vote, drafting of final documents and usual court processes. That’s all folks!”
Ripple’s cross-appeal had targeted Judge Analisa Torres’ injunction that prevented XRP sales to institutional investors and the $125 million penalty for violating US securities laws.
Pro-crypto lawyer Fred Rispoli shared insights into the potential timelines, stating:
“With the announcement by Stuart Alderoty, you better believe the paperwork has been drawn up already. Now we wait on a vote by SEC Commission (less than 30 days). Then we wait on filing by SEC to lift injunction, which will be unopposed by Ripple. Judge Torres will sign off on it (less than 30 days from motion filing). At most we are 60 days out from this being 100%, formally, legally, and spectacularly over.”
This settlement could prove pivotal to Ripple’s US expansion plans and positioning in the remittance sector, currently dominated by SWIFT and traditional financial institutions.
SEC Closed Meeting and an Official Appeal Withdrawal Vote
Ripple’s cross-appeal withdrawal suggests an upcoming SEC vote to formally withdraw its own appeal is likely to be a formality. The next closed SEC meeting is on Thursday, March 27. SEC Acting Chair Mark Ueyda and Commissioner Hester Peirce, who heads the Crypto Task Force, are expected to vote in favor.
Significantly, the closed meeting coincides with Paul Atkins’ first confirmation hearing. The SEC’s U-turn on enforcement actions against Coinbase (COIN) and Ripple has marked an end to Gary Gensler’s regulation through enforcement era, painting a rosier picture of the US digital asset space.
A final resolution of the SEC vs. Ripple case could accelerate the approval process for XRP-spot ETF applications. According to Polymarket, a crypto-betting platform, the odds for an XRP-spot ETF approval by December 2025 stood at 85% on March 25, up from 57% in January. Institutional demand for XRP could surge if ETFs receive the green light.
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See all Ripple forecastsXRP Price Outlook: ETF Bets in Focus
On Tuesday, March 25, XRP was up 0.11% to $2.4546, adding to Monday’s 0.45% gain. Despite the updates from the Ripple case, XRP underperformed the broader market, which rose 0.50%, taking the total crypto market cap to $2.83 trillion.
Key factors influencing XRP’s price outlook:
- SEC Appeal Withdrawal Vote: An official appeal withdrawal.
- SEC vs. Ripple Court Filings: The expected court filings to vacate the injunction.
- XRP-Spot ETF Prospects: Approval could drive gains toward $3.5505; delays may limit the upside.
- Macro Risks: Rising trade tensions or US recession fears could pressure XRP to $1.7938 while easing risks and economic resilience could support a move toward $3.
Read expert analysis on what could drive XRP to new highs here.
BTC Gets Boost on US Consumer Confidence Slump
Ripple’s legal update coincided with a bitcoin (BTC) return to the $88,500 level for the second consecutive session. A larger-than-expected fall in US consumer confidence revived bets on multiple Fed rate cuts, boosting demand for risk assets.
The CB Consumer Confidence Index tumbled from 100.1 in February to 92.9 in March. Waning sentiment could weaken private consumption and dampen inflationary pressures. Accounting for over 60% of US GDP, softer consumption could also impact the US economy, supporting a more dovish Fed stance.
Bitcoin Price Outlook: Key Scenarios
On March 25, BTC rose 0.38% to $87,854, following Monday’s 1.63% gain.
Potential scenarios:
- Bearish Scenario: Renewed geopolitical or macroeconomic headwinds, political resistance to the Bitcoin Act, or sustained ETF outflows could pressure BTC toward $70,000.
- Bullish Scenario: Strong macro data, easing trade concerns, bipartisan support for the Bitcoin Act, and robust ETF inflows may lift BTC toward $109,312.
The Bitcoin Act, reintroduced by Senator Cynthia Lummis on March 11, proposes the US government acquisition of one million BTC over five years with a 20-year holding mandate—potentially influencing BTC’s long-term supply-demand balance.
Market Outlook: Key Drivers
Several themes are likely to influence the crypto landscape:
- Final resolution of Ripple’s legal proceedings
- Shifts in US trade policy and their implications for the Fed
- Progress on the Bitcoin Act
- Ongoing BTC-spot ETF inflows.
While the SEC’s recent moves offer short-term relief, broader confidence will hinge on consistent and transparent regulatory frameworks.
Stay updated with our latest insights here.
