The protracted legal battle between Ripple and the US Securities and Exchange Commission has taken an unexpected turn, with legal experts revealing that it’s actually Ripple—not the SEC—causing the latest delays in the high-profile case.
As both parties seek court approval to modify earlier remedies, the crypto community is discovering that the holdup stems from Ripple’s strategic push to lift key operational restrictions rather than regulatory foot-dragging.
Legal expert Bill Morgan has clarified the situation for frustrated XRP supporters who have been blaming the SEC for prolonged proceedings. “Ripple needs it, not the XRP investors,” Morgan stated, emphasizing that the firm’s primary motivation is regaining flexibility in institutional XRP sales rather than benefiting retail holders.
According to Morgan, Ripple is actively pursuing the removal of a court-imposed injunction that currently limits how the company can sell XRP to institutional buyers. In a surprising development, the SEC is actually cooperating with Ripple in this effort, marking a rare moment of alignment between the two adversaries.
Wrong. Ripple is the source of the delay. It wants the injunction dissolved. Rather than cause the delay the SEC is actually bending over backwards to help ripple have the injunction dissolved. Ripple and the SEC would have settled months ago but for Ripple wanting to dissolve… https://t.co/1YPRgxes0n
— bill morgan (@Belisarius2020) June 18, 2025
The joint motion recently submitted by both parties represents a coordinated effort to bring the prolonged litigation to a close. Ripple has assured the court it will continue complying with securities laws even if the injunction is dissolved, attempting to align its case with outcomes seen in other crypto enforcement actions.
Ripple Settlement Strategy
The current phase of legal maneuvering was significantly influenced by the SEC’s earlier decision to appeal portions of Judge Torres’ ruling. Legal analysts suggest that Ripple might have accepted the original penalties and moved forward had the SEC not filed its appeal, fundamentally altering the company’s strategic calculus.
Former SEC official Marc Fagel emphasized the distinction between the current proceedings and overturning liability: “Judge Torres already ruled that Ripple violated securities laws. What’s happening now is a request to modify the relief, not to undo the judgment.” This clarification is crucial for understanding that Ripple’s legal victory regarding retail XRP sales remains intact.
The SEC case is NOT delayed until August 15. The district court judge can rule on the motion pending before her in hours, days, or weeks (or months or years, for that matter, but it obviously won’t come to that).
— Marc Fagel (@Marc_Fagel) June 18, 2025
XRP Case Ruling
Judge Analisa Torres now holds the key to resolving this chapter of the case. While the next official status report is scheduled for August 15, 2025, former SEC official Marc Fagel clarified that this date is not a rigid deadline. “The judge can rule at any time,” he explained, whether in days, weeks, or potentially sooner, dispelling speculation about predetermined delays.
A favorable ruling would lift the injunction restricting institutional XRP sales while finalizing the reduced $50 million penalty, effectively concluding the case. This outcome would enable Ripple to freely sell XRP again, potentially opening doors for new partnerships and institutional investments that have been on hold during the regulatory uncertainty.
The crypto community remains watchful as this legal saga approaches its conclusion, with XRP’s future regulatory status hanging in the balance of Judge Torres’ decision.
