News View Non-AMP

Ripple vs. SEC: Ripple Labs Fights Back Against SEC’s “Surprise” Witness

Published by
Nidhi Kolhapur

The legal battle between Ripple Labs Inc. and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) just took another dramatic turn. Ripple has filed a motion to strike new evidence submitted by the SEC, raising the stakes for both sides and leaving investors wondering what this means for the future of XRP.

Read on to find out the key details and why this wrinkle in the case matters.

A Timely Dispute

Ripple Labs has filed a motion to strike down the SEC’s newly introduced expert materials, alleging unfair play due to their late arrival. The SEC’s unveiling of expert testimony after the agreed remedies discovery deadline has stirred the pot of contention.

The bone of contention lies in the SEC’s unveiling of a new expert declaration and accompanying exhibits by Andrea Fox, an Assistant Chief Accountant in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. These materials aim to strengthen the SEC’s push for remedies and final judgment.

Hard-Hitting Response

Ripple contends that Fox’s input clearly extends beyond mere summarization of data, engaging in substantive accounting judgments without prior disclosure as an expert witness. “This is precisely the type of ‘sandbagging’ that Rule 37(c)(1) is designed to prevent,” Ripple’s legal team emphasized, citing Abraham v. Leigh as a precedent.

Also Read: Ripple Made Court Filling Pubic, says SEC’s $2Bn Penalty Demand is Unconventional

Expertise Under Scrutiny

During the legal proceedings, the SEC categorized Fox not as a factual or expert witness but as a “summary witness.” Ripple, however, argues that her deep dive into financial records and the application of specialized accounting knowledge squarely positions her as an expert witness, necessitating earlier disclosure as per Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a). 

Ripple further highlights the procedural disadvantage caused by the SEC’s timing, lamenting the missed chance for thorough cross-examination of Fox’s findings and the presentation of a rebuttal report. They argue that this not only undermines their defense but also the integrity of the legal process.

A Call for Fairness

In response to these alleged injustices, Ripple Labs pushes for the striking of the late disclosure, citing the need to prevent any prejudicial impact on their defense and the legal proceedings’ integrity.

Read More: Is the Ripple vs SEC Lawsuit Holding XRP Price Back?

The plot thickens in Ripple vs. SEC. What’s your prediction for the outcome?

Nidhi Kolhapur

Nidhi is a Certified Digital Marketing Executive and Passionate crypto Journalist covering the world of alternative currencies. She shares the latest and trending news on Cryptocurrency and Blockchain.

Recent Posts

XRP Price at Risk of Crashing 50%, Here’s Why

It’s an exciting weekend for crypto fans, and especially for those watching XRP closely. There’s…

May 18, 2025

Elon Musk’s ‘Kekius Maximus’ Persona Reignites Interest in Meme Coins and Underlying Technologies

Another Viral Elon Moment — Another Meme Coin Surge This week, Elon Musk once again…

May 18, 2025

Is MUTM Quietly Becoming the Next Big Crypto? Price Predictions Point to a 15x Surge

In a market full of noise, the tokens that make the biggest moves often do…

May 18, 2025

Ethereum Price Prediction: If ETH Can Break $2,800 We Could See $3,300 Soon After

Investors are monitoring Ethereum intently since it is on the verge of a crucial breakout.…

May 18, 2025

Unilabs (UNIL) Could Outperform BlockDAG and BONK After Smashing $30M Milestone in Assets Managed

Last year, BONK and BlockDAG (BDAG) performed tremendously and created generational wealth for many investors.…

May 18, 2025

Why Analysts Predict MUTM Could Be the Best Crypto to Invest in Before It Hits $2

With the cryptocurrency market steadily recovering and capital beginning to flow into high-utility projects, one…

May 18, 2025