TLDR
- SEC drops appeal, ending its legal battle with Ripple Labs and affirming XRP’s status.
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Ripple’s $125 million fine remains in effect as SEC dismisses appeal.
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XRP Army grows stronger after the lawsuit as community believes they are on the right side of history.
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Ripple’s legal victory is seen as a win for the entire crypto industry.
In a highly anticipated legal conclusion, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially closed its lawsuit against Ripple Labs Inc. on August 8, 2025. The decision marks a significant chapter for Ripple and the XRP token, with the SEC agreeing to dismiss its appeals. While the case ends, Ripple will still face a $125 million fine that was imposed earlier by the court.
This conclusion is celebrated by the XRP Army, a community of fervent supporters of Ripple and its native cryptocurrency, XRP. The group’s belief that they were on the “right side of history” since the beginning of the legal dispute is now confirmed by the closure of the case.
Ripple’s Legal Battle and the XRP Army’s Rise
The lawsuit between the SEC and Ripple Labs began in December 2020. The SEC accused Ripple of conducting an unregistered securities offering worth $1.3 billion through the sale of XRP. The lawsuit caused a significant dip in XRP’s price and shook the crypto community. However, the legal challenge united the XRP Army, with members rallying behind Ripple.
“The SEC’s actions gave the XRP Army a reason to fight for the token,” said a member of the community, MackAttackXRP. “We started organizing and mobilizing, and the support grew tremendously.” John Deaton, a prominent figure in the XRP community, provided legal assistance and backed the cause for over 75,000 XRP holders.
XRP Army members like James Rule contributed directly by submitting affidavits in court. This collective action was part of the reason why the group gained more visibility. Despite the challenges, many XRP holders used the opportunity to accumulate more XRP tokens while prices were suppressed by the lawsuit.
SEC’s Final Ruling and Ripple’s Legal Strategy
The legal journey culminated in July 2023, when U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres issued a mixed ruling. She stated that XRP is considered a security when sold to institutional investors, but not when sold on public exchanges.
This ruling allowed Ripple to continue its operations, but a fine of $125 million was imposed. Both Ripple and the SEC later agreed to end further appeals, signaling the closure of the case.
Ripple’s chief legal officer, Stuart Alderoty, confirmed the closure of the case, stating, “The dismissal of appeals marks the end of this legal battle.” Despite the fine, Ripple remains optimistic about its position in the cryptocurrency industry. The $125 million fine remains intact, but the resolution of the lawsuit allows Ripple to move forward without further legal obstacles.
The XRP Army’s Victory and the Future of XRP
For the XRP Army, the end of the lawsuit is more than just a legal win. It’s seen as a validation of their belief that XRP is not a security. The community views the legal resolution as an essential turning point in the broader crypto space.
“Now, after almost five years of struggle, it’s finally confirmed that we were on the right side of history,” said CryptoinsightUK, another member of the XRP Army.
“This battle was about more than just XRP—it was about the future of crypto regulation in the U.S.”
As Ripple moves past the lawsuit, the XRP Army plans to rally its members once again. “We are stronger than ever,” MackAttackXRP said, “and we’re ready to push XRP to new heights.” The community’s growth and resilience through the legal battle are seen as key factors in the token’s future success.
