XRP Surges 2.41% Amid Ripple's Legal Victory and ETF Approval Hopes

XRP's latest price was $2.27, up 2.415% in the last 24 hours. The cryptocurrency XRP has been the subject of significant developments recently, with several key events shaping its future. One of the most notable developments involves Ripple CTO David Schwartz, who made a surprising statement during a 2023 SEC hearing. Schwartz suggested that Satoshi Nakamoto, the anonymous creator of Bitcoin, might have held a substantial amount of XRP around 2017. This revelation has reignited public interest in Satoshi's identity and potential connections to XRP. Schwartz, who has a background in early Bitcoin code development, has previously denied being Satoshi Nakamoto but has been frequently mentioned in discussions about the Bitcoin pseudonym. His statement has added a new dimension to the ongoing speculation about Satoshi's holdings and the broader cryptocurrency landscape.

Schwartz's comment came during a court session where he was discussing the differences between Bitcoin and Ripple's XRP Ledger. He mentioned that "Toshi, the original creator, probably held an enormous amount of XRP at that time," referring to the year 2017. This statement has sparked renewed debate about Satoshi's identity and potential XRP connections, challenging the long-standing belief that Satoshi's holdings are confined to Bitcoin. Despite Schwartz's denials and those of other individuals mentioned in Satoshi's speculations, the resurfaced transcript has added another layer of intrigue to the mystery surrounding the Bitcoin creator.

The XRP lawsuit, one of the most significant legal battles in the history of cryptocurrency, is nearing its final chapter. Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are both expected to formally withdraw their appeals, a move that would bring immediate finality to Judge Analisa Torres’s landmark 2023 ruling. This outcome requires no further court action, and once the appeals are dropped, the case is over, with no retrial, no revisions, and no delays. Judge Torres’s ruling in July 2023 delivered a partial win for both sides, ruling that XRP is not a security in itself and that Ripple’s sales of XRP on secondary markets through programmatic means did not constitute a breach of securities laws. However, the court found that Ripple’s institutional sales of XRP were unregistered securities offerings. This split decision gave both the SEC and Ripple grounds to appeal.

If Ripple and the SEC drop their appeals, Judge Torres’s ruling becomes final immediately, with no retrial, no revisions, and no extra steps. The ruling will become legally binding and will stand as a precedent in future cases involving digital assets. This moment marks a rare sense of closure in an industry often marked by regulatory ambiguity. For Ripple, for XRP holders, and the broader crypto ecosystem, dropping the appeals will represent not just the end of a case but the beginning of a new chapter. The decision will no longer be subject to modification or reversal, allowing Ripple to operate without the overhang of active litigation and XRP to move forward with its legal status clearly defined in the United States.

With the case concluding, Judge Torres’s ruling will become a foundational legal reference in future disputes over how U.S. securities laws apply to digital assets. The distinction her court made—that the manner of token sales matters more than the token itself—could shape regulatory enforcement and even influence how lawmakers draft future crypto legislation. For XRP, this could pave the way for renewed exchange listings, deeper institutional adoption, and enhanced global integration into payment systems. For Ripple, the decision affirms its business model while clearing a major regulatory hurdle, positioning the company to accelerate its operations and partnerships. At this stage, all that remains is for Ripple and the SEC to submit their notices of appeal withdrawal. Once filed, the case will be formally closed, and no further legal proceedings will follow.

The XRP ecosystem is currently witnessing pivotal developments in regulatory clarity, institutional partnerships, and technological advancements. A key focus is on the resolution of the longstanding legal dispute between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which appears to be nearing a conclusion. Both parties have agreed to drop appeals, paving the way for a settlement expected by August 15. This resolution is anticipated to significantly alleviate the regulatory uncertainties that have impeded broader institutional adoption of XRP.

In parallel, progress toward the approval of a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the U.S. is gaining momentum. Prediction markets now indicate a high probability of approval by the end of the year, with firms like Franklin Templeton and Grayscale awaiting key deadlines. This development draws on successful precedents from Canada, where similar funds from Purpose Investments and Evolve ETFs have already garnered substantial institutional interest, demonstrating strong demand for regulated XRP investment vehicles.

Ripple, the company behind XRP, is actively expanding its integration into traditional finance through strategic initiatives. The company is in the process of applying for a national bank charter, a move that would enhance its regulatory standing and operational capabilities. This effort is complemented by partnerships with established financial institutions such as Bank of America and technology providers like Amazon Web Services, positioning XRP as a practical bridge between conventional finance and blockchain innovation.

Technological enhancements to the XRP Ledger are also progressing, with features like the Multi-Purpose Token standard designed to bolster compliance and scalability for institutional use. These upgrades enable the creation of yield-bearing assets and real-time settlement solutions, meeting growing industry demands for efficient and secure cross-border transactions.

Additionally, Ripple's monthly XRP escrow unlocks are approaching their release schedule, potentially freeing significant reserves soon. New services from firms like PFMCrypto and PBK Miner are adding dynamism to the ecosystem, introducing cloud mining contracts that offer daily XRP rewards and shorter-term solutions for holders, thereby broadening accessibility to XRP-based opportunities.

Despite these positive shifts, challenges such as ongoing SEC scrutiny over market concentration and broader economic factors like trade tensions and policy changes could introduce volatility. However, the convergence of regulatory settlements, ETF momentum, and institutional adoptions signals a transformative era for XRP.