The long-running legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hits a procedural milestone on June 16, 2025, with a crucial status report due in the U.S. Court of Appeals. This development follows a joint request in April 2025 by both parties to pause the appeals process for 60 days to explore a potential settlement.
While many speculate this could bring the case closer to resolution, it’s important to note that June 16 is not the date of a final judgment. Instead, the SEC is required to update the court on whether the settlement terms with Ripple have been finalized or if additional time is needed for negotiations.
What the Status Report Could Reveal
- Finalized Settlement Terms: If both sides have reached an agreement, the filing may confirm that they are ready to withdraw the ongoing appeals. Rumors suggest the settlement could involve a reduced penalty—$50 million instead of the originally proposed $125 million—and may also allow institutional sales of XRP under regulatory approval.
- Request for More Time: The SEC might indicate that negotiations are ongoing and request an extension, potentially delaying proceedings further or resuming briefing after a new timeline.
- No Filing or Vague Filing: If the SEC fails to file a corrected report or submits one lacking clarity, the appeals court may resume the briefing process, prolonging the uncertainty in the case.
Market Impact and Ongoing Speculation
The crypto market is closely watching the case, especially after a wave of unconfirmed rumors on June 13 suggested that a settlement announcement was imminent. This buzz led to a noticeable surge in XRP price, although no official confirmation has been provided as of now.
Long-Term Implications for XRP
A finalized settlement could have wide-reaching effects, including:
- XRP officially classified as a non-security, clearing the way for compliant public trading.
- Fast-tracked approval of XRP-based ETFs, with market analysts estimating a 98% probability if a settlement is reached.
- Renewed investor confidence and institutional adoption.
On the flip side, failure to reach a settlement by June 16 could reintroduce regulatory uncertainty, dampen sentiment, and trigger fresh market volatility.
As the crypto community awaits the outcome, all eyes are on the court’s docket for any sign of final clarity in one of the most closely watched cases in crypto regulation.
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FAQs
If the SEC fails to submit a report by June 16, the appeals court will likely resume the case based on Judge Torres’s original rejection of the settlement, restarting the formal appeals process and prolonging litigation.
If Ripple and the SEC do not reach an agreement by mid-June, the case could return to the appeals court, potentially prolonging the legal dispute until 2026 or beyond, increasing uncertainty for Ripple and the broader crypto market.
Yes, a settlement between Ripple and the SEC could still happen just before or after June 16, as this date is a deadline for a status update to the court, not a mandatory settlement date. While there is speculation about an imminent deal, no official confirmation exists, so a last-minute or slightly delayed settlement remains possible if both parties reach an agreement and file the necessary paperwork.
