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- Anjali Belgaumkar
Anjali Belgaumkar
Writer by choice, CryptoCurrency Writer, and Researcher by chance. Currently, focusing on financial news and analysis, as well as cryptocurrency news and data. One may not call me a crypto “Enthusiast” but trust me I'm getting there.
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Qadir AKQadir Ak is the founder of Coinpedia. He has over a decade of experience writing about technology and has been covering the blockchain and cryptocurrency space since 2010. He has also interviewed a few prominent experts within the cryptocurrency space.
- Aug 06, 2025 03:33 UTC
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XRP Lawsuit: Ex-SEC Lawyer Reveals If Ripple Has Already Paid The $125 Million Fine
Ripple Hasn't Paid Fine Yet: The $125M penalty remains in escrow and won’t be released to the U.S. Treasury until both parties dismiss their appeals.
Appeal Still Active: Despite rumors, Ripple and the SEC have not officially filed appeal dismissals; the case remains open until they do.
As the Ripple vs SEC legal battle nears its next important deadline on August 15, questions and rumors are once again flooding social media. Is Ripple already in the clear? Has the company quietly paid its $125 million fine and dropped the appeal?
One social media user recently claimed that Ripple had already paid the fine and announced that they would not appeal Judge Analisa Torres’ decision on the injunction. They also questioned why the SEC hadn’t held a formal vote or publicly declared whether it would appeal the court’s ruling.
Ex-SEC Lawyer Sets the Record Straight
In response to the confusion, former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel stepped in to offer some clarity. According to him, Ripple has not actually paid the fine yet. The $125 million penalty was placed into an escrow account following last year’s court judgment. It will stay in that escrow account, which is controlled by Ripple’s legal team, until both Ripple and the SEC officially dismiss their appeals. Only then will the money be released and transferred to the U.S. Treasury.
Fagel explained that this is a normal legal process. He added that there is no sign yet that either Ripple or the SEC has officially submitted dismissal papers. Ripple may have stated publicly that it is “dropping” the appeal, but that doesn’t mean the process is complete. Ripple might be waiting to coordinate with the SEC and that both sides will likely file a joint dismissal at the same time.
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Why Did Ripple Lose the Injunction Argument?
As for why Ripple failed in its attempt to reduce the fine or cancel the injunction, Fagel explained that Ripple tried to take a legal shortcut that didn’t work. The company argued that the penalty should be reduced, but the court didn’t find that argument strong enough. As a result, the original penalty stood.
For now, the $125 million remains untouched in escrow, and the case isn’t fully over until both parties officially dismiss their appeals.
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FAQs
No, the $125M remains in escrow pending formal dismissal of appeals. Funds will transfer to U.S. Treasury only after case closure.
August 15 requires Ripple/SEC joint status update, where SEC must decide to withdraw appeal or request more time.
Case concludes when both parties file joint dismissal – currently awaiting SEC’s internal vote and formal withdrawal process.
Yes 
No 
