XRP News Today! SEC vs. Ripple: Speculation Grows Over Potential Appeal Withdrawal

The ongoing legal battle between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple Labs continues to dominate the cryptocurrency landscape.

As the deadline for Ripple’s appeal-related reply brief nears, speculation is mounting over the possibility of the SEC withdrawing its appeal—a move that could significantly impact the regulatory landscape for XRP and the broader crypto market.

Growing Speculation on SEC Appeal Withdrawal

On Monday, March 17, crypto commentator Andrew ‘AP_Abacus’ Parish sparked renewed discussions by suggesting that the SEC might withdraw its appeal against Ripple.

Amicus Curiae attorney John E. Deaton amplified this speculation by sharing Parish’s post, adding weight to the claim within the crypto community.

Former Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett had previously cited two SEC sources on March 12, stating that the delay in reaching a resolution stemmed from Ripple’s legal team negotiating more favorable terms regarding the August 2023 district court ruling.

The ruling had imposed a $125 million fine on Ripple Labs and included a permanent injunction preventing the company from selling XRP to institutional investors.

If the SEC decides to withdraw its appeal before Ripple’s filing deadline of April 16, it could mark a major shift in the case’s trajectory.

A withdrawal would not only remove significant legal uncertainty but also potentially improve XRP’s regulatory standing, fueling renewed investor confidence.

XRP Price Outlook: Legal Developments, ETF Prospects, and Market Trends

The legal uncertainty surrounding Ripple has heavily influenced XRP’s market performance. On March 18, XRP price slid down 4.15% and traded at $2.2433.

However, the ongoing SEC appeal has kept XRP well below its January peak of $3.3999 and its all-time high of $3.5505.

Factors Influencing XRP’s Future Price Movements:

1. SEC Appeal Strategy: If the SEC withdraws its appeal, XRP could surge past $3.55, while prolonged legal uncertainty could push prices below $1.50.

2. XRP-Spot ETF Prospects: Approval of an XRP-spot ETF could drive institutional investment, potentially pushing XRP toward the $5 mark. However, legal and regulatory hurdles may delay approval.

3. Macro Risks: Rising trade tensions and a hawkish Federal Reserve stance could push XRP toward its February low of $1.7938, whereas easing tensions and a dovish Fed policy could support a recovery toward $2.50.

Ripple’s Expansion into Crypto Custody

Amidst its ongoing legal battle, Ripple is taking steps to diversify its business operations. The company recently filed a trademark application for “Ripple Custody,” signaling an expansion into the crypto custody market.

This move could provide Ripple with a new revenue stream beyond its traditional payment solutions.

Key Details of the Trademark Filing:

1. Ripple’s trademark application, submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on February 25, 2025, includes plans for several digital asset management services:

2. Downloadable software for cryptocurrency, fiat, virtual, and digital currency custody and transmission.

3. Custodial services for secure storage and management of digital and fiat assets.

4. Peer-to-peer (P2P) network services to facilitate secure electronic financial data transmission.

5. Software as a Service (SaaS) for cryptocurrency custody and storage solutions.

These services suggest that Ripple may soon introduce a proprietary crypto wallet or custody solution, potentially positioning itself as a key player in the growing digital asset custody market, which is projected to reach $100 billion within the next decade.

XRP ETF Filings: Hype vs. Reality

Discussions around potential XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have gained momentum in recent weeks.

Reports suggest that several firms, including Bitwise, WisdomTree, 21Shares, ProShares, and Franklin Templeton, have filed XRP-related ETF applications with the SEC.

On March 17, Hashdex amended its Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF to include XRP, Litecoin, Solana, and Cardano. This led some to speculate that a tenth XRP ETF filing had been made.

However, since Hashdex’s amendment includes XRP within a broader fund rather than as a standalone ETF, the exact number of XRP-specific ETF filings remains uncertain.

While the SEC has yet to confirm the total number of XRP ETF applications, growing institutional interest suggests that an approved XRP-spot ETF could significantly impact the token’s liquidity and price performance.

Conclusion: A Critical Juncture for Ripple and XRP

The coming weeks could prove pivotal for Ripple and XRP’s future. The potential withdrawal of the SEC’s appeal, ongoing negotiations over settlement terms, and developments in the crypto custody and ETF markets all play crucial roles in shaping investor sentiment.

Should Ripple secure a favorable resolution with the SEC, XRP could experience a major price breakout. However, until official confirmations emerge, the crypto community remains on edge, carefully monitoring the evolving regulatory landscape.