Judge Analisa Torres has denied a joint motion filed by Ripple and the SEC — a move that’s now triggering deep conversations across the XRP community. Despite both parties seemingly on the same page for once, the court made it clear—there are no shortcuts when it comes to justice.
Let’s break down what happened and why the judge blocked their attempt to move forward quietly.
Ripple and the SEC, who have battled in court for years over XRP’s legal status, recently teamed up to ask Judge Torres to approve two key changes to their case: first remove the long-standing injunction, and second reduce Ripple’s penalty from $125 million down to $50 million.
While the request came as a surprise to many, it was seen as a joint attempt to wrap things up early and cleanly.
However, the judge wasn’t on board. She denied the request, stating that she cannot comment on or undo any part of the final judgment while the appeal is still active
In essence, she made it clear, “You don’t get to erase a final judgment just because you’re now friends.”
Ripple and the SEC tried using a rarely granted legal option under Rule 60(b)(6), which allows for changes to a final judgment in extraordinary cases. But Judge Torres rejected this, pointing to Ripple’s earlier behavior—deliberate violations of securities laws, continued misconduct, and a lack of accountability.
In her words, Ripple had shown no convincing sign of changing, and the existing injunction was still necessary to protect investors.
She made it clear, no shortcuts will be allowed while the case is still on appeal.
Quoting a past U.S. Supreme Court decision, Judge Torres reminded both parties that a final court ruling belongs to the legal system, not just those involved. Courts are not tools for convenience, and legal decisions cannot be quietly erased even when both sides want to move on.
XRP supporters raise a bigger question: Why did Ripple and the SEC suddenly act like allies? Some believe both parties are preparing for something bigger—possibly a major shift in how digital assets will be used globally.
With stablecoins launching, central bank digital currencies emerging, and even XRP ETF applications underway in Canada and Asia, the timing of this legal pushback feels significant.
With the motion denied, the judge’s message is clear: settlements must happen in the open, and legal shortcuts won’t be tolerated.
Judge Torres denied the motion because a final court judgment cannot be reversed or altered via private settlement while an appeal is active. She also cited Ripple’s prior violations and lack of demonstrated change.
The denial means Ripple must either proceed with its appeal of the injunction (and the $125M penalty) or withdraw it, thereby accepting the judge’s existing rulings. It closes the door on a swift, private settlement to alter the final judgment.
Yes, this ruling sets a precedent that courts may not easily allow private settlements to override final judgments, especially where public interest and investor protection are concerned. It signals that regulators and firms must engage through proper legal channels, like appeals, to challenge or alter final court decisions.
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