After more than four years of legal battles, it seems like the long-running case between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could be nearing its conclusion. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently made waves in the crypto world by confirming that the legal clash is close to wrapping up. This news has left many in the XRP community feeling a mix of excitement and skepticism, with most hoping for an official statement from the SEC before they can fully believe the case is near its end.

In a new twist, both Ripple and the SEC have filed a joint motion asking the court to pause their ongoing appeal. This move suggests that the two parties have reached an agreement to settle the case, though this settlement is still pending final approval from the SEC. As a result, there will be no legal brief filed on April 16th, as originally planned, while both sides await the SEC’s decision on the proposed settlement.

Former SEC attorney Marc Fagel weighed in on the situation, offering his perspective on the delay. According to Fagel, the recent leadership change at the SEC could be the reason for the hold-up. He explained that the SEC likely wants the new commissioner, Paul Atkins, to be involved in the decision-making process, which may be why the filing has been delayed. Fagel also mentioned that having Atkins cast a vote on his first day could raise concerns about the fairness of the decision, even though Atkins’ support for the settlement is likely. Additionally, the delay could help prevent any risk of Ripple backing out of the settlement or filing a brief that might derail the process.

Attorney Bill Morgan also raised an important question in relation to the “indicative ruling” mentioned in the filings. Morgan speculated that this could indicate that the judge is finalizing the settlement, potentially including the removal of the injunction against Ripple. If the injunction is not lifted, the appeal process may continue, and Ripple’s cross-appeal could also be revived. This is a crucial aspect of the case, as the injunction has been one of the main points of contention throughout the legal battle.

In response, Fagel acknowledged that the current situation is uncharted territory. He pointed out that the settlement appears to be contingent upon Judge Torres revisiting the injunctive order. If the judge decides not to modify the injunction, the case could continue, and both parties might proceed with their appeals. However, if the injunction is removed, the legal battle could be effectively over, bringing an end to the long-standing case.

As the situation continues to unfold, Ripple supporters are left waiting with bated breath. The crypto community, especially those who have been invested in XRP, are hoping that this pause in the appeal process marks the beginning of the end. Despite the optimistic tone from Ripple’s CEO, many are still cautious and eager to see what the SEC will officially decide.

For now, the Ripple vs. SEC case remains in a state of uncertainty, with key decisions yet to be made. While both parties seem to be moving toward a potential settlement, the final approval from the SEC and the court’s decision on the injunction will ultimately determine whether this legal battle is truly over. Until these final pieces fall into place, the Ripple community will continue to watch closely, hoping that this marks the end of one of the most high-profile legal disputes in the crypto world.