XRP News: Ripple Ends SEC Case, BlackRock ETF Speculation Grows

XRP is making headlines once again as Ripple officially brings its long-running legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to an end. This significant update, confirmed by Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, could reshape the regulatory landscape for XRP and open doors for major institutional players like BlackRock to potentially enter the XRP ETF market.

Garlinghouse revealed that Ripple and the SEC have mutually agreed to drop their respective appeals, effectively concluding the high-profile lawsuit. This development follows Judge Analisa Torres’ denial of a joint motion by both parties to amend the final judgment previously issued. Specifically, the motion had requested a reduction of Ripple’s financial penalty from $125 million to $50 million and an elimination of the ongoing ban on institutional XRP sales.

According to a recent report, Judge Torres dismissed the joint motion but did emphasize that both parties could either continue their appeals or voluntarily withdraw and accept the original ruling. Responding to this, Garlinghouse confirmed that Ripple would no longer pursue its cross-appeal, which had sought to overturn the court’s finding on Ripple’s early institutional sales of XRP. Meanwhile, he also expects the SEC to forgo its own appeal, which challenged the ruling on Ripple’s programmatic XRP transactions.

This mutual decision effectively closes the years-long legal conflict. With the case officially resolved, Garlinghouse stated that Ripple is now fully focused on advancing its mission of building the “internet of value,” an initiative aimed at streamlining global money movement using blockchain technology.

In the wake of this announcement, Nate Geraci, President of ETF Store Inc., weighed in on the potential implications for XRP ETFs. In a statement shared via social media, Geraci observed that the removal of the legal overhang significantly boosts the chances of SEC approval for spot XRP ETFs. Previously, the legal uncertainty surrounding XRP was a major stumbling block for such products.

Several firms—including 21Shares and Bitwise—have already filed applications to launch XRP ETFs with the SEC. However, these efforts faced resistance due to the then-ongoing litigation. Now that both Ripple and the regulatory agency have agreed to drop their appeals, there is widespread belief that the SEC no longer has grounds to legally deny these proposals.

Geraci also hinted at the possibility of heavyweight financial institutions, particularly BlackRock, entering the fray. Although BlackRock has yet to file any paperwork for an XRP ETF, industry watchers have long speculated that the firm’s hesitation stemmed from the unresolved SEC case. With that obstacle now lifted, speculation is mounting that BlackRock may soon make its move.

Institutional interest in XRP has been steadily growing, and the conclusion of the lawsuit removes a significant regulatory roadblock. Should BlackRock proceed with a formal filing, it would not only validate XRP’s growing legitimacy in the eyes of large-scale investors but could also catalyze broader acceptance of digital assets tied to blockchain utility.

For the XRP community and crypto markets at large, the closing of the Ripple-SEC litigation is a pivotal milestone. It arrives at a time when regulatory clarity is more crucial than ever for crypto projects aiming for mass adoption and integration within traditional finance systems.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

In summary, the ending of this years-long legal saga removes a major barrier for XRP’s future development and opens new paths for institutional adoption. Whether BlackRock seizes this opportunity remains to be seen. However, the path to establishing an XRP ETF is now clearer than ever, and Ripple seems poised to leverage this fresh start to push its vision forward.