$XRP Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have reached an agreement to file a deferred appendix in their ongoing appeals process. This appendix will include key documents and evidence related to the case and is set to be submitted 21 days after Ripple files its opposition brief. The agreement is part of the ongoing legal battle between the two parties as they work through the intricacies of the case.
Despite Ripple's request for a delay, the SEC is moving forward with its appeal. The SEC is required to submit its opening brief by January 16, 2025, and Ripple’s call for an extension was denied. Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, expressed frustration at the decision, calling the refusal a waste of resources. Nonetheless, Alderoty remains confident that Ripple will prevail in the ongoing litigation, particularly in light of the court's previous ruling in Ripple's favor, which stated that XRP sales to retail investors do not constitute securities.
The legal dispute began in December 2020 when the SEC accused Ripple of selling XRP as an unregistered security. However, in 2023, a court sided with Ripple, ruling that XRP sales to retail investors were not securities. Despite this victory, the SEC has appealed the decision, and the case is currently under review, with a potential conclusion in 2025.
There is renewed hope at Ripple as the SEC is set for a leadership change. On January 20, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler will step down, and his successor, Paul Atkins, is known for his more crypto-friendly stance. Ripple sees this transition as a chance to resolve the dispute favorably. Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, criticized Gensler’s enforcement-focused approach and expressed optimism about working with the new SEC leadership.
Amidst the legal battle, XRP’s price has seen a significant surge. In just 24 hours, XRP’s value increased by 12.64%, reaching $2.84 from $2.52, reflecting growing optimism in the market. Over the past week, XRP has gained 22.9%, and its trading volume has risen by 19.01% to $11.98 billion, signaling investor confidence in Ripple’s future.
As legal expert James Farrell explained, only the court clerk can modify filing deadlines under extraordinary circumstances, which means the SEC must meet the January 16 deadline. The appeals process could potentially conclude by April 2025, with settlement discussions expected to follow soon after.
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