XRP News Today: The XRP Army Proved Community Power Can Outmaneuver Regulators

Ripple's five-year legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concluded in August 2024 when both sides agreed to drop their appeals, officially ending the case. A pivotal factor in Ripple's favor was the active engagement of XRP tokenholders, known as the "XRP Army," whose grassroots efforts significantly influenced the legal outcome. These efforts included submitting affidavits, conducting research, and organizing social media campaigns that amplified the case's visibility and highlighted its broader implications beyond Ripple itself [4].

Crypto lawyer John Deaton, who represented XRP holders, emphasized that the contributions of the XRP Army were critical. Over 2,000 exhibits were submitted during the case, including amicus briefs and holder affidavits, many of which were cited by Judge Analisa Torres in her July 2023 ruling. Torres concluded that XRP is not inherently a security, a key point that laid the groundwork for the eventual resolution. Deaton noted that the judge's citation of these submissions provided concrete evidence of the XRP Army's impact, reinforcing the influence of community advocacy in a high-profile legal proceeding [5].

Ripple's deputy general counsel, Deborah McCrimmon, acknowledged the value of the XRP Army's support in bolstering the company’s "fair notice defense." This strategy argued that the SEC had not provided clear guidance on how it intended to enforce securities laws in the context of crypto. By uncovering regulatory speeches and statements, the XRP Army helped Ripple build a compelling case that the SEC's actions lacked transparency. McCrimmon highlighted that these efforts, done voluntarily, saved the company substantial legal costs and enriched the context of the case [4].

The legal battle concluded with a mixed outcome in 2023, as Judge Torres ruled that XRP sold on public exchanges was not a security, but tokens sold to institutional investors could still be classified as such. In response, the price of XRP surged 72% in the immediate aftermath, reaching $0.81 from $0.47, according to CoinGecko [4]. The token saw another surge in July 2025, peaking at $3.65 amid speculation about a final resolution. However, the token has since pulled back, trading at $2.83 as of the latest reports [5].

Beyond the courtroom, the XRP Army’s efforts have reshaped public perception of XRP. What was once a term used pejoratively to describe loyal holders has become a symbol of community-driven activism. Ripple executives credit this collective energy with helping to establish XRP as a legitimate player in the global payments landscape, particularly through its XRP Ledger, which facilitates fast, low-cost cross-border transactions [5]. As Ripple continues to expand the real-world utility of its token, the legal victory is seen as a major step toward broader institutional adoption, especially with pending legislative efforts like the Clarity Act expected to provide clearer regulatory frameworks in the coming months [3].

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] Ripple 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] XRP Army Credited With Helping Ripple Defeat SEC (https://coinpaper.com/10870/xrp-army-credited-with-helping-ripple-defeat-sec)

[6] Attorney claims the XRP Army influenced Judge Torres'... (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1094412-20250904)