"SEC's Ripple Standoff: Mounting Pressure for a Pivot"

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is facing mounting pressure to drop its lawsuit against Ripple, the company behind the cryptocurrency XRP. The SEC's inability to make concrete decisions in its ongoing lawsuits with individual coins has sparked concerns about potential market turmoil, especially with a pro-crypto president in office.

The SEC's strategy appears to be focused on buying time to shape the outcomes of these cases in its favor. This approach was evident in the recent CoinBase case, where the SEC requested a one-month extension. However, the SEC has not made similar moves in the Ripple case, which began in 2020 and is now the largest legal battle between a coin and regulatory authorities.

The new SEC chair, Gary Gensler, launched random cases against coins during his tenure. However, the current acting chair, Elad Roisman, is taking a different approach, rethinking major disputes with Ripple, Krane, and others. During his ascension, former President Trump promised to make the crypto market seamless and concern-free, and to eliminate typical brawls with the SEC.

In the Ripple case, the SEC has taken a hardline stance, but traders are hopeful that the agency will change its position under the new leadership. Eleanor Terrett, a popular coin journalist, suggested that Capitol Hill might be focusing on cases with closer deadlines, which could explain the lack of closure in the Kraken and Ripple cases.

The CoinBase case, where the SEC demanded a one-month extension, is seen as a more straightforward case compared to the Ripple case. Experts believe that the Ripple case verdict will have broader significance for the crypto industry, as it will set the tone for future regulations.

The crypto sub-committee, which will include members of Congress, has the power to request the SEC to reevaluate its stance if it finds that the agency has crossed the line in the Ripple case. Traders are hopeful that President Trump will personally intervene in the case, and the new Department of Justice (DOJ) is already planning to investigate the case freely.

In conclusion, the SEC's principal stance has changed, and broader agencies should give the necessary time for the SEC to make its decisions. If the outcomes are unsatisfactory, Congress or the DOJ can take appropriate actions.