The XRP Army played a significant role in Ripple’s recent courtroom triumph over the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), marking a pivotal moment in crypto regulation.

Community Support Influences Legal Outcome

Crypto lawyer John Deaton, who represented XRP holders with an amicus brief, emphasized the impact of community involvement, calling any denial of their influence either a misunderstanding or deliberate falsehood. Judge Analisa Torres supported the role of XRP holders in her ruling, referencing Deaton’s submissions, sworn statements from XRP investors, and arguments he made in a related LBRY case. This acknowledgment helped establish that XRP itself is not considered a security.

According to Deaton, the proof lies in the court’s own decision. Without those community submissions, the extent of the XRP Army’s influence might have remained uncertain.

Ripple Credits the XRP Army’s Research Efforts

Ripple’s legal team also acknowledged the value of crowdsourced efforts. Deputy General Counsel Deborah McCrimmon shared on The Penta Podcast that unpaid research from the XRP Army was “invaluable.” They leveraged the community to bolster Ripple’s “fair notice” defense, which argued that the SEC hadn’t clearly communicated how securities laws apply to cryptocurrencies.

“We were seeking out government speeches and public statements about blockchain, crypto, or Ripple,” McCrimmon said. “The XRP Army found and shared this content on social media—work we would otherwise pay substantial legal fees to obtain.”

SEC Lawsuit Shaped Crypto Regulation Landscape

The SEC initiated its lawsuit against Ripple Labs in 2020, charging the company with conducting an unregistered securities sale. The case quickly escalated into a landmark test for how secondary crypto sales—particularly on exchanges—would be regulated.

In a partial win for Ripple, Judge Torres ruled in July 2023 that XRP tokens sold on public exchanges didn’t qualify as securities. However, institutional sales were deemed to fall under that classification. This nuanced decision offered Ripple some legal breathing room, although it didn’t fully exonerate the company.

End of the Case and XRP Market Impact

By August 2025, both Ripple and the SEC had dropped their appeals, officially bringing the case to a close. The legal resolution had substantial effects on XRP’s market behavior. After the July 2023 ruling, the token soared by 72%, leaping from $0.47 to $0.81. Fast forward to July of this year, and XRP hit a high of $3.65 before stabilizing.

Currently, XRP is trading near $2.85, reflecting a modest 1% dip over the last 24 hours.

Members of the XRP Army gather outside the courthouse to show support during Ripple’s legal battle.

Related: XRP Price: $12M Max Pain for Bears

The XRP Army’s Legacy in Crypto Legislation

What began as a grassroots movement of vocal XRP investors evolved into a force capable of influencing judicial outcomes. Their efforts not only helped Ripple in court but also set a precedent for the role of community engagement in shaping blockchain law. With Ripple emerging stronger and the case officially closed, the XRP Army has proven that retail investors can play more than just a spectator role in high-stakes legal battles.