08.08.2025 08:41

The protracted four-year legal battle between Ripple and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially concluded. A joint dismissal of all remaining appeals, filed by both parties, brings an end to the lawsuit initiated in December 2020. This decisive action follows an internal SEC vote confirming support for dropping the appeal.

Judge Analisa Torres's ruling, declaring XRP not a security in retail transactions, remains firmly in place. This landmark decision, now a permanent fixture in the cryptocurrency landscape, has significant implications for the industry. While Ripple will make a $50 million payment to the SEC – a reduced amount from the initially proposed $125 million – an injunction against the company will persist. This settlement, however, allows Ripple to resume and expand its US operations unhindered.

The legal clarity achieved through this resolution is generating considerable excitement, particularly concerning the potential for an XRP Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). Experts, like ETF specialist Nate Geraci, suggest that BlackRock, the global leader in asset management, might now proceed with an iShares-branded XRP ETF. The widely held belief is that BlackRock strategically delayed such a move, awaiting the much-needed legal certainty provided by the settlement's outcome. This anticipation reflects the significant market potential of an XRP ETF, potentially broadening XRP's accessibility to a vastly larger investment pool.

The culmination of this lengthy legal process has significant ramifications beyond Ripple itself, shaping the future regulatory landscape for the cryptocurrency market and influencing investor confidence within the sector. The considerable financial implications and the potential for BlackRock's entry into the XRP market are pivotal developments worthy of close observation.