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- •The SEC must file a status update by August 15, which could indicate whether the XRP legal dispute is finally winding down, though it’s not a binding deadline.
- •Ripple has withdrawn its own appeal and deposited $125 million in escrow, but the case remains open until the SEC completes its internal vote and files a formal dismissal.
- •If dismissed, the 2023 ruling that XRP’s programmatic sales aren’t securities would stand, setting a major regulatory precedent for other crypto tokens in the U.S.
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The XRP SEC legal battle has stretched for nearly five years, but recent developments suggest a potential end could be in sight. A key status update is due by August 15, 2025, and while this isn’t a hard deadline, it’s a moment that legal watchers and XRP holders aren’t ignoring.
Background: The Ongoing Legal Dispute
At the center of the case is the long-standing dispute over whether Ripple Labs’ sale of XRP constituted unregistered securities offerings. In 2023, Judge Analisa Torres ruled that Ripple’s institutional XRP sales were securities, while its programmatic sales, those made on exchanges, were not. That ruling alone changed how digital tokens are viewed in the U.S., but the full resolution of the case still depends on final filings.
Where Ripple and the SEC Stand
Ripple recently took a step by withdrawing its own appeal and placing $125 million in escrow to cover the penalty it previously agreed to. However, the Securities and Exchange Commission has yet to formally do the same. Legal analyst Bill Morgan pointed out that there’s no legal requirement for the SEC to file by August 15, but it must provide a status update to the U.S. Court of Appeals on that date. So far, nothing has appeared on the public docket.Former SEC enforcement attorney Marc Fagel explained that dismissing the appeal isn’t something the agency can do quickly, it requires a vote within the Commission itself. Only after that can the agency take formal action in court. Once the SEC completes this internal process and files its withdrawal, Ripple is expected to submit its countersuit dismissal as well. That would effectively bring the case to a close, barring any unexpected motions.
Related: Ripple Awaits Court Response on Latest Settlement Motion
The Role of August 15
The August 15 filing requirement is procedural, not a hard legal cutoff. But in practice, it could lead to visible signs that both parties are wrapping things up. Until the SEC moves, the matter remains in a kind of legal standoff, keeping XRP’s regulatory status in limbo.
Ripple’s Push for Clarity
Meanwhile, Ripple has continued its engagement with U.S. lawmakers, urging clearer boundaries between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It’s also advocating for recognition of “auxiliary assets”; a term aimed at clarifying how established tokens like XRP should be treated under existing frameworks. These discussions suggest Ripple is already looking beyond the courtroom. A more structured regulatory environment may soon follow.
Looking Ahead
While the XRP SEC legal battle isn’t officially over, the window for major developments is narrowing. If the SEC follows through with its withdrawal in the coming days, the dispute may finally be laid to rest. Until then, those watching closely can only wait for the next update. Whether you’re evaluating xrp wallets, planning to buy XRP, or following ways to bridge to XRPL, the final outcome of this case could have lasting effects on how digital assets are regulated in the U.S.