Ripple and SEC Nearing Resolution in Long-Running Legal Battle
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple Labs are reportedly moving toward a settlement in their legal battle, which has been ongoing since December 2020. According to sources familiar with the matter, the case is in its final stages, though negotiations over specific terms have caused delays. At the heart of the discussions is the $125 million fine imposed on Ripple in an August 2023 district court ruling, along with an injunction preventing the company from selling XRP to institutional investors. Ripple’s legal team is reportedly pushing for modifications to these terms, arguing that a settlement under the current conditions could imply an admission of wrongdoing. Ripple Pushes Back on SEC’s Position Two sources close to the negotiations say Ripple is questioning why it should still face penalties if the SEC is reconsidering past enforcement actions against other crypto firms. The argument hinges on the idea that if the new SEC leadership believes regulatory clarity is a more effective solution than litigation, Ripple should not be penalized under a shifting framework. The SEC initially sued Ripple in 2020, alleging that its sale of XRP constituted an unregistered securities offering. The case became a landmark legal battle, with Ripple securing partial victories along the way. Judge Analisa Torres ruled in 2023 that XRP’s programmatic sales to retail investors did not violate securities laws but upheld the SEC’s stance on institutional sales. Ripple now appears to be seeking a resolution that does not leave it burdened by legal restrictions while the regulatory landscape evolves. Impact on the Crypto Industry The case has broader implications for the cryptocurrency industry, particularly in how the SEC applies securities laws to digital assets. If a settlement is reached, it could set a precedent for other firms facing regulatory scrutiny. Observers note that the SEC has faced increasing pressure to provide clearer regulations rather than relying on enforcement actions. This shift in strategy may be contributing to the prolonged settlement talks. While no official timeline has been provided, sources indicate that both parties are working to finalize the agreement.
Ripple’s RLUSD Gains Momentum with Additional Exchange Listing
Having satisfied the market conditions for listing in the United States crypto market space in December 2024, Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has been gaining traction, evidenced by its debut on several exchanges. According to a January 29 press release, Margex, a Seychelles-based trading platform, announced that it has onboarded the stablecoin. The trading platform wrote: “Margex now supports RLUSD alongside other stablecoin options, such as USDT, offering users access to reliable and efficient trading solutions.” Still, in the publicized document, the exchange noted that users will enjoy unique benefits from the stablecoin listing. Some of the purported features users will enjoy include fast and secure payments across nations. Margex added that RLUSD will offer customers stable value to facilitate trades with other crypto assets. Other potential benefits entail streamlining the payment system by offering users cost-effective options. Notably, RLUSD inclusion also provides Margex customers a viable option that could serve as a shield against the highly unstable crypto market. It is worth noting that the above benefits stem from the RLUSD 1:1 equivalent with the US dollars. In addition, backing from entities like government bonds, dollar deposits, and cash equivalents has made the RLUSD stand out among its peers. Hence, it should be unsurprising that trading platforms are already embracing the stablecoin despite existing for barely two months. Ripple Unveils its RLUSD Reserve Report In other related news, Ripple has unveiled its RLUSD reserves report for the periods between December 20, 2024 and December 31, 2025. Within the specified period, the stablecoin outstanding supply grew from 72,300,301 to 77,208,201. Expectedly, the market value of the reserves also increased from $78,212,154 to $83,214,671. Notably, the variables that amounted to the reserves market valuation were the total US treasury bills, government money market funds, cash deposits held at the US-regulated financial institutions, and accrued interests. The treasury bills increased from $27,561,764 to $30,095,603; money market funds spiked from $27,544,644 to $30,119,460. On the contrary, cash deposits dropped from $24,051,803 to $22,978,696. Similarly, accrued interests depreciated from $53,943 to $20,912.
Ondo Finance Brings Tokenized U.S. Treasuries to XRP Ledger
Ondo Finance, a leading issuer of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), has announced the integration of its tokenized U.S. Treasury product, Ondo Short-Term U.S. Government Treasuries (OUSG), onto the XRP Ledger (XRPL). This collaboration aims to provide institutional investors with access to tokenized U.S. Treasuries backed by BlackRock’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund, facilitating round-the-clock minting and redemption using Ripple USD (RLUSD), a USD-backed stablecoin. Ripple and Ondo have committed to seeding liquidity for OUSG upon launch, reinforcing the growing trend of tokenizing traditional financial instruments on decentralized platforms. The move builds on Ripple’s previous investments in tokenized U.S. Treasury solutions, including its partnership with OpenEden’s TBILL. Institutional-Grade Solution Meets Growing RWA Demand The integration of OUSG on XRPL responds to rising institutional demand for liquidity, efficiency, and transparency in financial markets. With forecasts projecting the tokenized asset market to reach $16 trillion by 2030, the XRP Ledger is positioning itself as a platform for institutions to bring traditional assets on-chain. OUSG offers features such as daily interest accruals, low fees, and 24/7 subscription and redemption capabilities. It is managed under stringent know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance protocols. The XRPL’s native compliance features, including Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) and on-chain credential management, further enhance regulatory adherence. Ripple’s XRPL Powers Institutional Adoption of DeFi The XRP Ledger, a blockchain tailored for financial institutions, enables native tokenization, trading, escrow, and compliance measures. Its capabilities include a decentralized exchange (DEX), automated market maker (AMM), price oracles, and planned features like multi-purpose tokens and a lending protocol. For over a decade, Ripple‘s has leveraged XRPL for cross-border payments, asset custody, and stablecoin issuance. Ondo Finance, the first tokenized U.S. Treasuries platform to surpass $600 million in total value locked, continues to expand its offerings for qualified investors. By integrating OUSG with the XRPL, Ondo seeks to address the growing need for scalable, low-risk liquidity solutions in global financial markets.
Bitstamp Adds Ripple’s RLUSD Stablecoin to Ethereum Network
Bitstamp, one of the world’s longest-standing cryptocurrency exchanges, has announced the listing of Ripple USD (RLUSD), a stablecoin developed by Ripple. The new digital asset is now available for trading on the Ethereum network, with pairs including RLUSD/Euro (EUR), RLUSD/US Dollar (USD), RLUSD/Tether (USDT), RLUSD/Bitcoin (BTC), RLUSD/Ethereum (ETH), and RLUSD/XRP. RLUSD is designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the U.S. dollar, fully backed by cash and cash equivalents. Issued under a New York Trust Charter, it aims to provide stability and trust for institutional-grade financial use cases, such as payments and tokenization. Ripple emphasizes that RLUSD enables developers and users to engage with decentralized finance (DeFi) on the XRP Ledger, broadening access to various financial applications. The introduction of RLUSD comes amid Ripple’s efforts to expand its influence in the digital asset market. By offering a stablecoin with regulatory backing and enterprise-grade trust, Ripple positions RLUSD as a competitor to established stablecoins like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC). The collaboration with Bitstamp facilitates global reach, providing users with seamless on- and off-ramps between fiat currencies, cryptocurrencies, and stablecoins. Further Listings Could Play Out in the Future In addition to Bitstamp, RLUSD is expected to be listed on other exchanges, including Uphold, Bitso, MoonPay, Archax, and CoinMENA, with further listings anticipated on platforms such as Bullish, Mercado Bitcoin, Independent Reserve, and Zero Hash in the coming weeks. As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, the introduction of RLUSD reflects Ripple’s commitment to offering compliant and reliable digital assets tailored for institutional use, potentially influencing the adoption of stablecoins in mainstream financial transactions.
SEC Seeks Extension in Ripple Case, Pushing Deadline to January 2025
The ongoing delays and legal back-and-forth have sparked widespread speculation within the crypto community.
Ripple Challenges SEC with Cross-Appeal in Ongoing Legal Battle
Ripple has been at loggerheads with the SEC for over a year.
Crypto Execs Engage with White House Officials in Push for Regulatory Clarity
Many crypto firms have continued to struggle under the present regulatory atmosphere.
Kamala Harris’ Camp Considers Crypto Policy Shift Ahead of Elections, as Trump Gains Ground with Supporters
making a statement that the Democrats are “pro-business, responsible business.”
Ripple vs. SEC: Crypto Firm Gets Reduced Settlement Offer
The initial $2 billion penalty was deemed outrageous by many in the crypto industry.
Ripple Expands Footprint in Georgia, Explores Broader Digital Economy Applications
The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) had previously selected Ripple as its technology partner for the Digital Lari pilot program.
