Ripple Wins Against SEC: What’s Next for XRP?

After nearly five years of legal battles, Ripple Labs has finally won its case against the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On March 19, 2025, the SEC officially dropped its appeal, ending one of the most important legal cases in crypto history.

The End of a Long Fight

“The SEC will drop its appeal – a big win for Ripple and crypto," Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, shared on his X account.

The case began in December 2020 when the SEC sued Ripple, claiming the company sold $1.3 billion worth of XRP as unregistered securities. This legal action devastated XRP’s value, causing it to plummet from around $2 to less than $1, wiping out billions in market capitalisation.

In July 2023, Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP sales to everyday investors on exchanges were not securities sales, though institutional sales did violate securities laws. Following this partial victory, XRP’s price spiked over 100% but eventually drifted back down, as uncertainty remained with both sides filing appeals.

XRP: The Banking Industry’s Blockchain Solution

From the beginning, XRP was built to solve real banking problems, particularly enhancing cross-border payments. Now that the legal issues are resolved, banks can adopt XRP without the fear of regulatory concerns.

Unlike many cryptocurrencies that lack practical business applications, XRP powers RippleNet, a network already used by hundreds of financial institutions worldwide. Major banks in Japan, Santander, and American Express have tested or used Ripple’s technology.

What makes XRP special is its focus on working with traditional banking systems rather than trying to replace them. The network can handle 1,500 transactions per second, with settlements in 3-5 seconds and minimal costs – exactly what banks need for efficient money transfers.

With regulatory clarity now established, we’re likely to see increased adoption from financial institutions that previously stayed away due to legal concerns. This unique position as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain technology gives XRP significant growth potential that other cryptocurrencies lack.

Trump Administration and “Made in USA” Crypto

President Trump’s second administration has strongly emphasised supporting American-made products and companies. This “America First” approach potentially creates a unique opportunity for Ripple.

When President Trump announced plans for a strategic cryptocurrency reserve, he specifically mentioned five digital assets: Bitcoin ($BTC) and Ethereum ($ETH), Ripple ($XRP), Solana ($SOL), and Cardano ($ADA). This selection highlights a clear preference for American blockchain innovation.

This “Made in USA” blockchain strategy aligns perfectly with the administration’s focus on technological sovereignty. By including these American-developed cryptocurrencies in the national reserve, the Trump administration is backing these domestic projects.

From a geopolitical perspective, having American-built blockchain systems in government reserves makes strategic sense. As countries like China, Russia, and North Korea increase their crypto holdings, the US government may view supporting Ripple as both an economic and national security decision.

With XRP’s legal status now clarified and the Trump administration’s demonstrated interest in including it among strategic reserve assets, Ripple stands to benefit significantly from this government recognition. If XRP becomes part of the US strategic reserve alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum, it would represent unprecedented legitimacy for the cryptocurrency and could trigger massive institutional adoption.

Looking Forward

In a recent Bloomberg interview, Garlinghouse shared some exciting possibilities for XRP:

• Are XRP ETFs Coming Soon? “We expect XRP ETF approvals to start in the second half of 2025,” he said. Companies like Bitwise and Franklin Templeton have already applied to launch XRP ETFs. Experts think there’s a 65-75% chance these will be approved by the end of the year.
• Part of the US Government Reserves? XRP might become part of the US strategic digital asset reserve. President Trump mentioned XRP when talking about plans for government cryptocurrency holdings.
• Ripple IPO? When asked if Ripple might go public, Garlinghouse said it’s possible but “not the first priority right now.”

A Changing Landscape

This case hasn’t just affected Ripple – it could change how all cryptocurrencies are regulated in the US. The SEC’s decision to drop the case suggests a more supportive approach to crypto under new leadership.

Chart Analysis: Time to Accumulate?

From a technical perspective, XRP’s price has jumped in response to the positive news but hasn't yet broken key resistance levels or reached a new all-time high. This cautious price action makes sense in the current market environment, where investors are pulling money from crypto assets due to broader economic uncertainty.

Despite the restrained price movement, XRP now stands as one of the top crypto investments for 2025. With its legal troubles behind it, potential inclusion in the US strategic reserve, and strong use case for the banking industry, XRP has uniquely solid fundamentals compared to many other cryptocurrencies.

For investors looking to capitalise on XRP’s long-term potential, the current strategy would be to accumulate at key support levels. Strategic buying during pullbacks could offer better entry points before any potential ETF approvals or government reserve announcements drive prices higher.

For those who held XRP through years of regulatory uncertainty, this legal victory provides more than just a short-term price boost—it offers validation and the foundation for sustainable growth moving forward.