XRP News Today: XRP Surges 20% as SEC Lawsuit Turns in Favor of Crypto

John Deaton, a prominent crypto attorney, recently celebrated the resurgence of XRP on X, reacting to a post by Michael Arrington, the founder of Arrington Capital. Deaton's comment, "After being held down for 4 years, on behalf of 75K XRP holders, it’s about time!" reflects the long-standing legal battle and retail frustration surrounding XRP.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Ripple Labs in December 2020, alleging that the company conducted an unregistered securities offering by selling XRP. This lawsuit led to significant losses for retail investors as XRP was delisted from major exchanges and its price crashed. In response, John Deaton, founder of CryptoLaw, filed an amicus brief on behalf of more than 75,000 XRP holders from over 140 countries. Deaton argued that the SEC failed to distinguish between Ripple’s institutional sales and the secondary market activity of everyday XRP holders.

The legal tide turned in July 2023 when Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP, when sold on public exchanges, does not constitute a security. This decision was widely seen as a landmark victory for the crypto community, providing long-sought clarity for retail users. While Ripple was still found liable for some institutional sales, the verdict marked a significant turning point in the legal battle.

After years of legal uncertainty, XRP is finally surging. As of July 18, 2025, XRP is trading at approximately $3.60, representing a 20% increase in 24 hours. The token is nearing its all-time high of $3.84 recorded in early 2018. The launch of a ProShares XRP ETF has opened the doors for institutional investors to gain regulated exposure to XRP, further bolstering the XRP market. This ETF debut signals Wall Street’s increasing comfort with XRP and further legitimizes it as a long-term digital asset.

For Deaton and the tens of thousands of XRP holders he represented, this moment is deeply meaningful. It validates the years-long campaign against regulatory overreach and highlights the power of organized retail advocacy. The resurgence of XRP, surging in price, and gaining institutional legitimacy, it seems that the time has arrived for XRP holders.