XRP News Today: XRP Army's Unpaid Advocacy Helps Tilt Ripple's Legal Battle

Ripple’s legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concluded in August 2025 when both parties dropped appeals, bringing a four-year legal saga to a close. The outcome of the case, which had significant implications for the classification of XRP as a security, was influenced by the efforts of XRP holders, often referred to as the “XRP Army.” Judge Analisa Torres cited amicus briefs, XRP holder affidavits, and arguments from crypto lawyer John Deaton in her ruling. Deaton emphasized that the XRP Army’s unpaid research and advocacy were instrumental in shaping the court’s understanding of the broader impact of the case, beyond Ripple alone [1].

Ripple’s defense centered on the “fair notice” argument, asserting that the SEC had failed to provide clear guidance on how crypto laws applied to XRP. Ripple’s deputy general counsel, Deborah McCrimmon, credited XRP holders for helping locate and share critical legal precedents and SEC statements that supported the company’s position. These efforts were described as a “game changer” in the firm’s legal strategy [1]. Deaton further noted that the judge’s decision explicitly acknowledged the role of the XRP Army, with the ruling stating that XRP itself is not a security. Without this acknowledgment, Deaton suggested the impact of the community’s contributions might have been debated [1].

The legal victory provided some clarity for XRP but did not resolve all uncertainties. In July 2023, Judge Torres had ruled that XRP tokens sold on public exchanges were not securities, while certain institutional sales were deemed unregistered securities. This partial victory allowed Ripple to avoid a full legal loss but left a cloud of regulatory ambiguity over the token. In the aftermath, XRP experienced significant price swings, with a 72% jump following the 2023 ruling and a peak of $3.65 in July 2025 before settling near $2.85 [1].

The outcome of the case is expected to influence broader regulatory approaches to cryptocurrency. In Washington, policymakers are actively working to establish clearer jurisdictional boundaries for crypto assets and promote interagency collaboration. This regulatory clarity is seen as a catalyst for institutional adoption of blockchain-based payment solutions, particularly for XRP, which has secured over 64 licenses in 90 markets [3]. Ripple’s recent partnership with payment network Thunes is another step in this direction, aiming to enhance the efficiency and compliance of cross-border transactions [4].

However, not all stakeholders share the same optimism. SWIFT, a dominant player in traditional cross-border payments, has criticized Ripple’s governance model, highlighting the company’s significant control over XRP supply as a potential barrier to institutional adoption. SWIFT’s Chief Innovation Officer, Tom Zschach, argued that banks are unlikely to rely on settlement rails controlled by a direct competitor, favoring instead internal payment systems or regulated stablecoins [2]. This critique has sparked debates within the industry about the balance between technological innovation and institutional trust [2].

Analysts suggest that the outcome of the Ripple-SEC case and evolving regulatory policies in Washington will play a critical role in XRP’s future trajectory. Regulatory clarity, coupled with growing institutional demand and Ripple’s expanding network, positions XRP as a strong contender in the payments sector. However, macroeconomic factors, including the U.S. Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates, remain a key risk for the token’s price stability [4]. With XRP currently trading near $2.85, a breakout above $3.10 could open the door to new price targets, while a breakdown below $2.80 could lead to a deeper correction [4].

Source:

[1] Ripple-SEC News: 'XRP Army' Credited by Lawyers in ... (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/09/04/xrp-army-credited-with-helping-ripple-tilt-case-against-sec)

[2] SWIFT Innovation Officer Dismisses Ripple's Regulatory ... (https://yellow.com/news/swift-innovation-officer-dismisses-ripples-regulatory-victory-claims)

[3] Here Are 3 Ways President Trump's Crypto Policy ... (https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/here-are-3-ways-president-trumps-crypto-policy-roadmap-could-affect-xrp)

[4] XRP Price Prediction: XRP Could Surge Past $3 as US Regulatory Easing Fuels ... (https://bravenewcoin.com/insights/xrp-price-prediction-xrp-could-surge-past-3-as-us-regulatory-easing-fuels-cross-border-momentum)