XRP News Today: The XRP Army's David-and-Goliath Win Over the SEC

Ripple’s prolonged legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concluded in August 2025, with both parties dropping their appeals, effectively ending the case. Central to this resolution was the influence of the XRP community, often referred to as the “XRP Army.” According to Ripple’s deputy general counsel, Deborah McCrimmon, the efforts of XRP tokenholders significantly contributed to the outcome. These efforts included lobbying, submitting affidavits, and organizing campaigns that highlighted inconsistencies in the SEC’s regulatory approach, particularly in relation to other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum [4].

John Deaton, a key advocate for XRP holders, played a pivotal role in mobilizing the community. He coordinated the submission of over 75,000 affidavits and briefs from XRP holders, which were cited in Judge Analisa Torres’ July 2023 ruling that XRP is not a security when sold on public exchanges [4]. Deaton emphasized that the community’s contributions were instrumental, noting that the court referenced these materials in its final decision. Ripple’s legal team also benefited from the community’s ability to uncover past SEC statements and regulatory inconsistencies, which were used in the firm’s “fair notice” defense [4].

The outcome of the case provided XRP with a level of legal clarity that distinguishes it from many other cryptocurrencies. Judge Torres ruled that while XRP sales to institutional buyers were considered unregistered securities, those sold on exchanges did not meet the definition of a security. This nuanced distinction helped position XRP as a legitimate cryptocurrency rather than a regulated financial instrument [5]. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has since stated that the company is now focused on scaling its cross-border payment solutions and expanding globally, with the regulatory uncertainty resolved.

The legal victory also has broader implications for the cryptocurrency sector. With the SEC’s stance on XRP clarified, institutions are now more likely to engage with the asset, potentially opening the door for XRP-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) [1]. Analysts like Zach Rector have highlighted that regulatory clarity, such as that proposed in the Clarity Act, could further accelerate institutional adoption. The combination of legal certainty and growing institutional interest positions XRP as a key player in the evolution of digital asset infrastructure [3].

While the future remains uncertain, the XRP community’s impact on the case has been undeniable. The collective effort of retail holders not only influenced the court’s decision but also brought widespread attention to the broader regulatory challenges facing the crypto industry. With the legal battle behind it, Ripple is now better positioned to focus on innovation and global expansion, leveraging its unique regulatory standing to drive adoption in emerging markets and traditional financial systems [5].

Source: [1] XRP (Ripple) Plunged Below $3. Buy the Dip, or Run for ... (https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/xrp-ripple-plunged-below-3-buy-dip-or-run-hills) [2] Now That XRP is Dead, What's Next? Swift Executive Calls ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/now-xrp-dead-next-swift-105438346.html) [3] XRP News: Can the Clarity Act Push XRP to New Highs? (https://coinpedia.org/news/xrp-news-can-the-clarity-act-push-ripple-to-new-highs/) [4] XRP Army made a difference in Ripple's SEC lawsuit (https://cointelegraph.com/news/xrp-army-helped-ripple-win-sec-lawsuit) [5] Ripple vs. SEC: How the lawsuit strengthened XRP's ... (https://cointelegraph.com/explained/ripple-vs-sec-how-the-lawsuit-strengthened-xrps-narrative) [6] John Deaton Credits XRP Army Role in Ripple vs SEC Case (https://coinpedia.org/news/xrp-armys-courtroom-power-how-retail-holders-helped-ripple-defeat-the-sec/)