XRP News Today: Judge Denies Ripple SEC Motion to Reduce Penalty

Judge Analisa Torres has denied a joint motion filed by Ripple and the SEC, a decision that has sparked extensive discussions within the XRP community. Despite the two parties appearing to align on the motion, the court emphasized that legal judgments cannot be circumvented.

Ripple and the SEC, who have been in a prolonged legal battle over the status of XRP, recently submitted a joint request to Judge Torres. The request sought to remove a long-standing injunction and reduce Ripple's penalty from $125 million to $50 million. This move was seen as an attempt to resolve the case swiftly and amicably. However, Judge Torres rejected the request, stating that she cannot alter or comment on any part of the final judgment while an appeal is still pending. She underscored that legal decisions cannot be undone simply because the parties involved have reached an agreement.

The judge's decision was based on Ripple's past conduct, which included deliberate violations of securities laws and a lack of accountability. She emphasized that the existing injunction is necessary to protect investors and that no shortcuts will be allowed while the case is on appeal. Judge Torres cited a past U.S. Supreme Court decision to remind both parties that final court rulings belong to the legal system and cannot be quietly erased, even if both sides wish to move forward.

The community has raised questions about the sudden alliance between Ripple and the SEC, speculating that both parties might be preparing for a significant shift in the global use of digital assets. With the launch of stablecoins, the emergence of central bank digital currencies, and XRP ETF applications underway in various regions, the timing of this legal pushback is seen as particularly noteworthy. The judge's denial of the motion sends a clear message: settlements must be transparent, and legal shortcuts will not be tolerated.