The legal dispute between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been ongoing since December 2020. In July 2023, a significant development occurred when a federal judge ruled that XRP, Ripple’s digital asset, was not inherently a security. However, the court noted that certain institutional sales of XRP could be considered securities transactions.

In October 2024, the SEC announced it would drop its lawsuit against Ripple’s executives, Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen.

Despite this, the broader case between Ripple and the SEC remains unresolved. The SEC has filed an appeal challenging the previous court ruling, seeking to overturn the decision that favored Ripple. Notably, the SEC’s appeal did not introduce new arguments but reiterated prior points.

The timeline for the conclusion of this lawsuit is influenced by several factors, including changes in SEC leadership. With the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, and the anticipated resignation of SEC Chair Gary Gensler, there is speculation about a shift in the SEC’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation. Paul Atkins, a known cryptocurrency advocate, is expected to assume the role of SEC Chair. Legal experts suggest that under Atkins’ leadership, the SEC may opt to settle ongoing cases, including the one against Ripple, potentially leading to a resolution within the next few months.

Attorney Jeremy Hogan has predicted that the Ripple vs. SEC case might be dismissed or settled by April or May 2025.

However, it’s important to note that legal proceedings can be unpredictable, and these timelines are subject to change based on various factors, including court decisions and regulatory priorities.