08.08.2025 08:23
Ripple and the SEC have officially concluded their protracted legal battle, ending nearly four years of litigation. A joint filing on August 7th confirmed the withdrawal of all appeals following a decisive SEC vote, bringing a definitive end to the high-profile case. This agreement, announced by Ripple's Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, signifies closure on a dispute originating in December 2020. Crucially, the settlement avoids classifying XRP as a security, with each party bearing their respective legal expenses.
This resolution represents a significant victory for Ripple, aligning them with other cryptocurrency companies, such as Coinbase, that have successfully navigated similar regulatory challenges with the SEC. The immediate market reaction was pronounced: XRP's price surged over 10%, reaching $3.33 at the time of writing, according to data from CryptoSlate. This positive price movement reflects investor confidence in the outcome and the potential for future growth.
The settlement has sparked considerable speculation regarding a possible BlackRock XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF). BlackRock, the global leader in asset management, already offers prominent Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth, hypothesized that BlackRock might have strategically awaited regulatory clarity before launching an XRP ETF under its iShares brand. He posited that overlooking assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum would imply a lack of long-term value in other cryptocurrencies, although he acknowledged the speculative nature of this assessment.
However, this bullish prediction isn't universally shared. Eric Balchunas, a senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, voiced skepticism, suggesting BlackRock might be satisfied with its existing crypto ETF offerings. He invoked the principle of diminishing returns when discussing potential expansions, admitting his viewpoint was primarily intuitive rather than evidence-based. Despite this cautious outlook on a BlackRock XRP ETF, Balchunas remains optimistic about the broader regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies.
