XRP News Today: XRP Army's Grassroots Power Shapes Landmark SEC Ruling

The XRP community, often referred to as the "XRP Army," played a pivotal role in shaping the legal outcome of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) v. Ripple lawsuit, according to prominent crypto attorney John Deaton. The lawsuit, which began in December 2020, concluded in August 2025 after both parties agreed to drop their appeals, marking the end of a five-year legal battle. The case centered on whether XRP, the native token of Ripple’s blockchain network, was an unregistered security. Judge Analisa Torres ruled in July 2023 that XRP sold on public exchanges was not a security, a decision that proved instrumental in the eventual settlement.

Deaton, known for his advocacy on behalf of XRP holders, emphasized that the XRP Army’s collective efforts were a decisive factor in the case. In a post on X, he stated that no credible person could argue the XRP Army had not made a difference in the outcome. He cited Judge Torres’ final decision, which referenced the amicus brief he submitted and the affidavits submitted by XRP holders. Deaton noted that over 2,000 exhibits were filed in the case, but the judge explicitly cited key materials provided by the XRP community, including speeches and public records that supported Ripple’s "fair notice" defense. Without these citations, the impact of the community’s efforts could have been questioned, he argued.

Ripple’s legal team also acknowledged the significant support from the XRP Army. Deborah McCrimmon, Ripple’s vice president and deputy general counsel, stated that the community provided critical evidence that helped shape the legal arguments used in the case. She highlighted how the XRP Army’s efforts, including organizing legal submissions and social media campaigns, gave the court visibility into the broader implications of the case—impacting not just Ripple but a large number of XRP holders. This grassroots mobilization, she noted, was instrumental in supporting Ripple’s defense that the SEC had not provided clear guidance on its regulatory stance toward digital assets.

The case’s conclusion came after the SEC and Ripple reached a settlement in August 2025, with Ripple agreeing to pay a $125 million penalty—far below the original $2.2 billion demand. The ruling by Judge Torres, which declared XRP not a security when sold on public exchanges, set a precedent for the classification of digital assets under U.S. securities law. This legal clarity is seen as a major victory for Ripple and the broader crypto industry, offering a framework for how courts may evaluate other tokens in the future. The XRP Army’s role in this process has been widely acknowledged as a demonstration of how organized, community-driven advocacy can influence legal outcomes in complex financial cases.

The market reacted to the settlement with a surge in XRP’s price, which reached a high of $3.65 in July 2025 before settling at around $2.85 in early September. Analysts suggest that the legal clarity provided by the case may support long-term growth for XRP, particularly as Ripple expands its cross-border payment solutions and partners with financial institutions. The XRP Ledger, which processes millions of transactions daily, has also seen increased adoption, further reinforcing the token’s utility in real-world applications.

Source:

[1] XRP Army made a 'difference' in Ripple's SEC lawsuit (https://cointelegraph.com/news/xrp-army-helped-ripple-win-sec-lawsuit)

[2] XRP Army Played Key Role in Ripple SEC Lawsuit (https://coingape.com/xrp-army-played-key-role-in-ripple-sec-lawsuit-john-deaton-says)

[3] XRP Price Prediction: Is Triple-Digit Target Incoming? (https://coinpedia.org/news/xrp-price-prediction-is-triple-digit-target-incoming/)

[4] Ripple (XRP) Price Predictions for This Week (https://cryptopotato.com/ripple-xrp-price-predictions-for-this-week-22)

[5] XRP Army Helped Sway SEC vs Ripple Case, Says Deaton (https://cryptopotato.com/xrp-army-helped-sway-sec-vs-ripple-case-says-deaton)

[6] Ripple vs. SEC: How the lawsuit strengthened XRP's ... (https://cointelegraph.com/explained/ripple-vs-sec-how-the-lawsuit-strengthened-xrps-narrative)

[7] Pro-Crypto Lawyer John Deaton Validates Role of XRP Army (https://u.today/ripple-v-sec-pro-crypto-lawyer-john-deaton-validates-role-of-xrp-army)