The legal battle between Ripple and the SEC that began in 2020 finally came to an end in August 2025. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Ripple Research Institute have agreed to dismiss all appeals and cross-appeals, ending one of the crypto industry’s longest-running disputes. The decision followed a moratorium on litigation earlier this year when Donald Trump returned to office and installed new leadership at the SEC.
The role of the XRP army
In an exclusive interview with Coinpedia, Juan Leon, senior investment strategist at Bitwise Asset Management, spoke candidly about the importance of the XRP community throughout this incident. “The XRP community, often referred to as the ‘XRP Corps,’ is one of the most organized, vocal, and resilient communities in the cryptocurrency space,” Leon said.
Leon said the community kept morale high during the lawsuit and asked for XRP to be recognized as legitimate. He said this loyal base gives the project a social strength that few other cryptocurrencies can match.
Legal clarity boosts XRP’s standing
The incident has long weighed on XRP’s adoption and price. A key turning point came when a court ruled that programmatic sales of XRP in the secondary market were not securities transactions.
The ruling follows the dismissal of an appeal in August and provides much-needed legal clarity to exchanges, banks, and investors who have been hesitant to engage with XRP. Leong explained that the lawsuit could free XRP from its biggest regulatory hurdles and return attention to the growth of the ecosystem.
Price outlook and expectations for ETFs
Looking to the future, Leung pointed out that fundamentals and adoption are the main drivers of XRP price. “With key legal issues resolved, XRP’s price potential is more closely tied to fundamentals such as adoption and expansion of its ecosystem,” the expert added.
One of the most important short-term developments could be the approval of spot XRP ETFs in the US. Similar to Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, such products allow investors easy access through regulated channels. If approved, it could open the door to both retail and institutional demand and reshape XRP’s market position.
A new chapter for Ripple
With the legal shadow removed, Ripple has entered a new phase. The future of this project will likely not be determined by the courts, but by its ability to expand partnerships, strengthen utility, and meet growing demand. For the XRP Army, the conclusion of the lawsuit is both vindication and the beginning of a new chapter.