What once seemed like a long-running legal battle is slowly coming to an end. Ripple and the US regulator SEC have finally reached an agreement that the crypto world has been waiting for for years. This agreement not only frees Ripple to fully operate again, but also opens the door to renewed institutional interest in XRP.
Under the new terms, Ripple will pay a $50 million fine, down from the previous $125 million. The freeze on institutional XRP sales will be lifted once the judge gives her approval, and Ripple will gain access to $75 million that has been in escrow since the trial began.
The SEC’s approval came after a closed committee meeting in late April. Both parties filed a joint letter with Judge Analisa Torres requesting an “indicative ruling,” a procedural step that indicates the court is willing to modify the ruling, despite the ongoing appeal.
If Judge Torres agrees, the case could be temporarily recalled from the appeals court. The original court could then make the agreement official, lift the freeze, and release the funds. This would seemingly end a legal battle that has ensnared Ripple for years and severely damaged XRP’s position in the market.
The XRP price has now reached the $2.39 mark, marking an increase of almost 7% in the past 24 hours. This legal breakthrough removes one of the biggest barriers to institutional adoption, rekindling interest in Ripple.
Ripple continues to expand its international operations and is actively investing in stablecoin technology. The company recently acquired leading financial services provider Hidden Road for $1.25 billion, the largest acquisition in its history. This strategic move sets the stage for new institutional deployment of both the XRP Ledger and Ripple’s native stablecoin, RLUSD.
Judge Torres must rule on the ruling in the coming days. After that, it is up to the court to agree to the request for referral. If that happens, the judgment will be officially lifted and the money will be released. Only then will this legal chapter really be closed.
With this chapter almost coming to an end, a new horizon is opening up. Ripple seems to be finding its rhythm again and is preparing for a solid position in international financial traffic, a bit like a musician who goes back to the studio after a long tour.
What does the agreement mean for Ripple?
The agreement allows Ripple to resume operations freely and opens the way for new institutional investments in XRP.
How much fine will Ripple now have to pay?
Ripple must now pay a $50 million fine, which is a significant reduction from the original $125 million.
What are the next steps in this case?
Judge Torres must issue a ruling, and if the court agrees to the remand, the judgment will be vacated and the escrow money will be released.
