XRP News Today: Ripple Ends Five-Year Legal Battle With SEC XRP Price Surges 3.5%

Ripple and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have mutually agreed to abandon their appeals, effectively ending a five-year legal battle. This resolution marks a significant turning point for the cryptocurrency industry, particularly for XRP, the digital asset associated with Ripple. The decision to drop the cross-appeal has sparked widespread speculation and optimism within the market, with many industry analysts hailing it as a major milestone.

The legal dispute centered around the SEC's allegation that Ripple's sale of XRP tokens violated securities laws. Specifically, the SEC claimed that Ripple's sales of XRP to institutional investors from 2013 to 2018 amounted to illegal sales of unregistered securities. This allegation was a focal point of the lawsuit, with the SEC paying particular attention to the $728 million in sales to institutional buyers.

Ripple's decision to settle with the SEC for $50 million has lifted restrictions on XRP sales, paving the way for potential new developments in the cryptocurrency market. One of the most notable speculations is the possibility of a U.S. spot XRP ETF. Asset management giant BlackRock has emerged as a potential frontrunner in this space, although the company has not officially confirmed any plans to launch an XRP ETF. Earlier rumors in April and May 2025 about BlackRock's interest in a spot XRP ETF were not substantiated, as the company had previously stated that it was not interested in altcoins like XRP due to the ongoing legal issues with the SEC. However, the recent developments have led analysts to raise the odds of an XRP ETF approval to over 95%, indicating a more positive engagement from the SEC with altcoin ETF filings.

The market reaction to Ripple's settlement has been positive, with XRP's price surging over 3.5% to $3.18 following the news. This rally was accompanied by liquidations, primarily from short sellers who had bet against the price increase. The optimism surrounding the potential launch of an XRP ETF has translated into renewed confidence in the cryptocurrency, with large wallets loading up on XRP even before the lawsuit ended. This institutional accumulation suggests a growing interest in XRP as a viable investment option.

While the U.S. is still in the process of warming up to XRP ETFs, other regions have already taken steps in this direction. For instance, Canada has launched the 3iQ XRP ETF, which quickly hit $32 million in assets under management, demonstrating strong early demand. All eyes are now on the U.S. to see if BlackRock or other major players will make the next big move in the cryptocurrency ETF space.

Legal experts have praised Ripple's strategic decision, noting that the resolution of the legal battle clears the way for potential new developments in the cryptocurrency market. The lifting of restrictions on XRP sales and the potential launch of a spot XRP ETF could have significant implications for the industry, opening up new opportunities for investment and innovation. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these developments unfold and what impact they will have on the broader cryptocurrency landscape.