The years-long legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may finally be approaching its conclusion, though not with the sweeping judgment some in the crypto community had expected. A new development in the courtroom has drawn attention, with Ripple and the SEC jointly requesting an “indicative ruling” from Judge Analisa Torres.

While social media buzz suggests a final decision on XRP’s regulatory status is imminent, legal experts say otherwise. Instead, the latest action centers around penalties and procedural matters, with the core 2023 judgment on XRP’s classification still standing firm.

Understanding the Court’s Current Role

Recent speculation circulated online claiming that Judge Torres was about to issue a decisive ruling that would determine the future of XRP and possibly other digital assets in the U.S. However, legal commentator Bill Morgan corrected these claims, emphasizing that such expectations were misplaced.

Morgan clarified that the current court activity is not about changing XRP’s classification. Instead, Ripple and the SEC are jointly asking the court to determine if there are “extraordinary circumstances” that justify reducing Ripple’s penalty or removing the existing ban on XRP institutional sales.

This legal term—“indicative ruling”—refers to a scenario where a court provides its opinion on a matter, typically while an appeal is pending, to help parties decide whether a formal motion should be submitted.

XRP’s Legal Status Remains Intact

Importantly, Morgan reaffirmed that the key ruling from July 2023 will remain unchanged. That ruling declared XRP was not a security in secondary market transactions—an outcome widely seen as a partial win for Ripple.

“In fact, the parties have agreed that the substantive summary judgment ruling made by Judge Torres in July 2023 will remain in place and will not be vacated, amended, or modified,” Morgan wrote on social media.

This clarification means that XRP’s legal standing as a non-security in secondary trading is not being reconsidered. For retail investors and crypto exchanges, this point provides ongoing legal clarity.

Rumors of a Settlement Deal

Adding to the confusion, some sources online have also pointed to a supposed $50 million settlement deal between Ripple and the SEC—down from an earlier proposed $125 million. However, Morgan debunked this claim as well, noting that the settlement was actually reached back in April and formally approved by the SEC in early May.

This suggests that much of the current noise online is based on outdated or incorrect interpretations of court filings. While the legal process may appear slow, most major agreements between Ripple and the SEC have already been formalized.

What Happens Next in the Case?

Ripple and the SEC have now jointly requested that appeals in the case be put on hold. This means that both sides are seeking to avoid further delays as they work through the remaining procedural elements. According to the latest filings, the SEC is expected to provide a status update to the court by August 15, 2025.

While this may seem like a minor step forward, it’s actually a key indicator that both parties are moving toward closure rather than escalation. For XRP holders and the broader crypto industry, this could mark the start of more stable footing ahead.

Investor Sentiment: Hopeful but Cautious

After nearly four years of legal back-and-forth, the XRP community is understandably eager for finality. The case has not only impacted Ripple but has also been seen as a proxy battle for how U.S. regulators may treat other digital assets in the future.

The partial ruling in 2023 provided some relief, clarifying that not all crypto tokens automatically fall under SEC jurisdiction. However, a final resolution still remains elusive.

Market reaction to the latest legal update has been relatively muted, with XRP trading around $2.18. The price has held steady despite recent market volatility, showing that investors may already have priced in the long-running litigation.

Still, many remain cautious. Legal complexity, regulatory uncertainty, and broader macroeconomic conditions continue to weigh on sentiment across the crypto sector.

Long-Term Outlook for XRP

Despite the delays, Ripple continues to focus on building partnerships and expanding use cases for XRP. Its recent moves in cross-border finance and stablecoin development have added momentum, even as the lawsuit drags on.

Should the court grant the indicative ruling in Ripple’s favor—allowing for a lower fine or the resumption of institutional sales—XRP may see renewed interest from major financial firms.

In the long term, the clarity provided by this case could pave the way for more structured regulatory frameworks in the U.S. crypto space. It may also help boost the XRP price prediction for the rest of 2025 and beyond.

Conclusion

While no final judgment on XRP’s regulatory status is expected anytime soon, the ongoing legal developments represent significant progress. The 2023 ruling still stands, and both Ripple and the SEC appear committed to resolving remaining issues without dragging out further appeals.

For now, XRP investors can take comfort in the clarity that already exists—and in the prospect that the end of this historic legal battle is finally in sight.