Key takeaways
When did the court issue its ruling?
In July 2023, Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP is not a security in retail trading but rather a security in institutional sales.
What penalty did Ripple face?
Ripple paid a $125 million fine in 2024 and the case officially ended in August 2025, with no personal sanctions for its executives.
When the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Ripple Labs in December 2020, it sparked one of the most decisive legal battles in cryptocurrency history.
The main reason behind the battle.
The case, centered on itself Vibe [XRP] should be classified as a security, it became a test of how US law applies to digital assets.
Accused of raising $1.3 billion through sales of unregistered securities, Ripple’s defense not only challenged the SEC’s stance but also laid the groundwork for a broader debate over cryptocurrency regulation.
Years later, the court’s split ruling, which declared that XRP is not a security in public trading but rather a security in institutional sales, has reshaped the conversation about how cryptocurrencies are classified and governed in the United States.
For years, the case created uncertainty that weighed on the price of XRP, but momentum changed in July 2023 when Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP was not a security in retail trading but in institutional sales.
This split decision marked the first US judicial distinction between retail and institutional crypto transactions, providing long-awaited legal clarity for the industry.
XRP price action during legal battle
Following the ruling, XRP regained momentum as confidence returned to the market. Delisted exchanges restored operations and increased investor interest.
In 2024, ripple established with a fine of $125 million, and in August 2025, both sides dismissed their appeals, ending a years-long legal battle.
Ripple remained restricted in institutional sales of XRP, but faced no executive liability.
The market reacted strongly, with At the close of this edition, it was listed near $2.21, consolidating its position among the top altcoins.
Analysts like Ali Martinez even see a realistic target around $12.60, citing renewed confidence now that the SEC case is resolved.
The ruling set a key legal precedent, clarifying that the classification of cryptocurrencies depends on how the tokens are sold, not just their design, a model that now shapes future regulation of digital assets.
What happened after the battle between SEC and Ripple?
The verdict gave Ripple crucial breathing room.
And, now that the case is behind it, the company is refocusing on global payments, partnerships and expanding into clearer regulatory markets.
In summary, the case SEC vs. Ripple may be over, but its impact continues to shape the future of XRP and broader crypto regulation.
While Ripple gained crucial legal clarity, lingering restrictions on institutional sales and uneven global rules still pose challenges.
Once again, optimism is building around XRP as the ETF’s momentum accelerates.
Several XRP-linked funds are already attracting strong inflows. For example, youThe Rex-Osprey XRP ETF, as of press time, had over $114.6 million in assets, while Teucrium’s leveraged
Meanwhile, major asset managers such as Grayscale, Bitwise, CoinShares, WisdomTree, ProShares, Tuttle Capital, and 21Shares also have XRP ETF proposals pending approval.
To add to the excitement, the Canary Capital Spot XRP ETF is exciting closer to launch, indicating growing widespread confidence in Ripple’s return.
