A recent development today reveals that the SEC is set to drop the lawsuit against Coinbase, which could be a major win for the crypto industry. But is Ripple next? Let’s see what industry experts have to say.
According to Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett, the proceedings in the Ripple case are more complex compared to Coinbase. This is because they already have an order from Judge Torres at the district level to pay the $125M penalty, she noted.
Will SEC Drop Appeal At Second Circuit?
She noted that Judge Torres will oversee the case until August 7, 2025, to ensure the penalty is paid. Besides, she also shared that the SEC might decide to drop the appeal at the Second Circuit, but they’ll still need to figure out how to handle the penalty ruling in the district court. They could negotiate to reduce or remove the penalty and would need Judge Torres’s approval to make it official.
She noted that there’s a degree of uncertainty in all of this because, as one legal source mentioned to her, “We are in uncharted territory right now.”
SEC To Drop Lawuit Against Coinbase
As per a recent update, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to drop its lawsuit against Coinbase, pending approval from the agency’s commissioners. If finalized, this could be a significant legal victory for the cryptocurrency industry and a turning point for future regulations.
According to Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer, the SEC will soon vote on a deal to dismiss the case against. If the vote passes, it won’t just clear Coinbase of legal troubles—it could also set an example for other crypto businesses facing similar regulatory challenges.
Ripple vs SEC To End Soon?
Nevertheless, the XRP community believes that the long-running lawsuit between Ripple and the U.S. SEC may soon be over. This optimism comes after the SEC recently showed openness to considering XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Experts suggest that this shift indicates the lawsuit might no longer be relevant or a major concern.
XRP ETF Acknowledgment Raises Hopes
Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart noted that the SEC under its previous leadership would have likely rejected the XRP ETF application, especially after denying a similar one for Solana in December. He believes this new development slightly improves the chances of the ETF’s approval. Besides, Nate Geraci, co-founder of the ETF Institute, pointed out that the SEC’s acknowledgment could have major implications for its ongoing case against Ripple.
Stuart Alderoty, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, also expects a resolution soon, referencing the SEC’s recent acknowledgment of XRP ETF filings. Legal sources indicate the SEC is prioritizing cases with pressing deadlines, like Kraken’s due on March 31, 2025, leaving Ripple’s case on the back seat. However, the Coinbase deal could trigger a chain reaction.
