Kraken Steps into Ripple’s Legal Battle: A Turn of Events in XRP’s Security Status

In a striking development, the U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has intervened in the ongoing legal battle involving Ripple and the classification of XRP as a security. Kraken’s involvement follows a court order demanding U.S. exchanges to disclose private trading data of XRP transactions, including customer identities. Opting for user privacy over compliance, Kraken filed a motion to safeguard its clients’ sensitive information, underlining the exchange’s commitment to user trust and confidentiality.

Zakinov v. Ripple: The Core Issue

At the heart of the Zakinov v. Ripple lawsuit is the debate over XRP’s classification as a security or a currency. The plaintiff, Zakinov, alleges Ripple offered XRP as an unregistered security. Ripple, countering this claim, parallels XRP with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Despite Ripple’s efforts to challenge the lawsuit, it remains a significant legal hurdle, with U.S. District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton certifying the class action.

On July 13, Ripple triumphed in its lawsuit against the SEC, marking the first major victory for the crypto industry against the regulatory body. The court ruled that XRP is not a security, dismissing the SEC’s argument that crypto tokens are inherently securities. This landmark decision has set a precedent for the classification and regulation of digital tokens in the United States.

Kraken’s Involvement: A New Dimension

Kraken’s motion to intervene adds a new layer to Ripple’s ongoing legal challenges. While Ripple steadfastly denies any illegal issuance of securities, asserting XRP’s equivalence to established cryptocurrencies, Kraken’s entry focuses on the privacy implications of the court’s order. This move not only highlights the exchange’s dedication to client confidentiality but also places it at the center of a pivotal debate on privacy and regulatory compliance in the crypto space.

With Judge Analisa Torres‘s earlier ruling declaring XRP a non-security, the crypto world is keenly watching to see if Judge Hamilton will align with this decision. The outcome of these legal proceedings will not only impact Ripple and its users but also set a significant precedent for the broader cryptocurrency industry in the United States.