The long-running legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may finally be nearing its end. Both sides have agreed to pause their appeals and enter settlement talks—a major shift that’s turning heads across the crypto world.
After years of back-and-forth, could this be the breakthrough moment Ripple has been waiting for? With a new SEC Chair stepping in and fresh signs of change behind the scenes, there’s growing buzz that something big is about to unfold.
Here’s everything you need to know about the latest twist in one of crypto’s most closely watched cases.
In a joint court filing on April 10, Ripple and the SEC said they want to save time and resources by working toward a possible settlement. Because of this, Ripple no longer needs to respond to the SEC’s brief, which was originally due on April 16.
This development comes just as Paul Atkins—who many believe has a more crypto-friendly approach—was confirmed by the Senate to take over as SEC Chair on April 9. Some speculate he might even drop the case altogether.
Well-known crypto analyst John Squire shared his thoughts in a recent X post, calling the joint decision to pause appeals a strategic move, not just legal procedure.
He pointed to several signs that something big may be happening behind closed doors—like unusual activity from large crypto holders (“whales”) and renewed movements from institutional wallets. Squire believes this signals serious high-level talks between Ripple and the SEC.
He believes that this is a quiet buildup before major structural shifts in high-stakes cases like this one.
Squire believes that if a settlement is announced today, April 16, it could be a turning point—not just ending the legal battle, but possibly opening the door to an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF).
He said a settlement would lift XRP out of the regulatory uncertainty that has limited its growth and kept big investors on the sidelines. With clearer rules, he believes institutional interest in XRP will surge.
“When institutions start positioning ahead of time, it’s because they know what’s coming. And what’s coming might be one of the most important validations the crypto space has seen in a long time,” he remarked.
Squire also said that a resolution could kick off a strong XRP rally, supported by solid fundamentals. Several XRP ETF applications already exist—from Bitwise, Grayscale, and 21Shares—and a settlement could give them the momentum they need.
Adding to the excitement, ProShares has just joined the list by filing for its own XRP ETF, showing growing interest in XRP’s potential in the ETF space.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse hinted back in March that the lawsuit was close to ending. This recent move to pause the case seems to back up that statement—and could reflect a changing attitude at the SEC under new leadership.
Attorney Fred Rispoli also shared his thoughts recently, predicting a major update by April 16—the deadline for Ripple’s next legal filing. He estimated just a 10% chance that Ripple would file a new appeal, and a 90% chance of either a settlement or full case withdrawal.
At the moment, XRP is trading at $2.06, down 3.9% on the day. The price is still heavily influenced by SEC rulings, ETF progress, and larger economic factors—like trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
Experts say a positive settlement could push XRP closer to its all-time high of $3.55. But if talks break down or the market faces more pressure, XRP could drop to around $1.70.
Whether or not today marks the official end of the case, April 16 could be remembered as a major milestone in XRP’s journey. With settlement talks underway and ETF interest building, the stage is set for a big shift.
As of April 10th, Ripple and SEC agreed to pause their appeals with speculations that negotiations are going on. Squire believes that the pause is strategic and the closed door meetings and high level negotiations could possibly lead to a settlement.
A settlement could drive institutional interest into XRP driving price rally. This could also provide momentum to XRP ETF filings.
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