In a protracted legal battle that has spanned nearly three years, Ripple Labs, a prominent blockchain and cryptocurrency company, remains steadfast in its commitment to contest the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s lawsuit. Ripple President, Monica Long, recently declared the company’s unwavering intention to fight the lawsuit to its conclusion, in line with its pursuit of regulatory clarity and global expansion.
Monica Long Affirms Ripple’s Determination to Challenge SEC, Seeks Regulatory Clarity
Ripple Labs has been embroiled in a legal dispute with the SEC since the regulatory body filed a lawsuit in 2020, alleging that Ripple’s XRP token constituted an unregistered security offering. This lawsuit has not only been a focal point for Ripple but also for the broader cryptocurrency industry, as it raises critical questions about the classification of digital assets and the regulatory landscape.
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In a partial victory for Ripple, Judge Torres ruled that the programmatic sales of XRP are not securities, distinguishing them from institutional sales, which were considered investment contracts. Notably, Judge Torres clarified that XRP itself should not be categorized as a security. However, the SEC has sought an interlocutory appeal to challenge this ruling, arguing that the Howey test indicates that XRP should indeed be classified as a security. Moreover, federal judges have criticized the SEC for what they perceive as an arbitrary and inconsistent approach to the case.
Ripple’s Determination to Challenge the SEC
Monica Long, Ripple’s President, recently spoke with CNBC, reaffirming the company’s commitment to continue the legal battle with the SEC. Long stated unequivocally, “We are planning to continue to fight the case all the way through.” This determination is aligned with Ripple’s broader goal of not only defending its position but also seeking regulatory clarity for the entire cryptocurrency industry.
Clarity for the Cryptocurrency Industry
While the legal battle has been challenging, Monica Long acknowledged that the ruling has provided some degree of clarity for the cryptocurrency industry. The judge’s order in the case clearly stated that XRP, by itself, is not a security. This pronouncement has given Ripple the confidence to pursue its global expansion plans more vigorously. Long expressed, “We also got clarity in that lawsuit. And the judge’s order in that case said very clearly XRP in and of itself is not a security, which kind of opens the doors to us to expand our business—not just in the U.S. but even more globally.”
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Market Implications
Despite Ripple’s legal woes and the overall market uncertainty, XRP has experienced a decline in its price, falling below the key support level of $0.50. Over the past week, XRP has seen a 4% decrease in value, with its current trading price at $0.4808, according to CoinMarketCap data.
Nonetheless, Ripple remains unwavering in its determination to fight the SEC lawsuit. The company’s commitment to regulatory clarity and its quest for a favourable resolution to the legal battle is indicative of the broader crypto industry’s desire for clear guidelines governing digital assets and their classification.
As the crypto community eagerly awaits the trial scheduled for 2024, the outcome of the Ripple-SEC legal battle could have far-reaching implications for the industry, shaping the regulatory landscape for years to come.