Settlement confirms XRP is not a security in the US. Analysts see potential for a BlackRock XRP ETF. Bitcoin maximalists renew criticism of XRP.
Ripple’s multi-year legal battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission reached a decisive conclusion this week, triggering a sharp rally in XRP’s price and trading volume.
The settlement confirmed that Ripple’s past programmatic and institutional sales of XRP were lawful, removing a major source of uncertainty that had weighed on the token since the lawsuit began.
Within hours of the news, XRP surged 5.21% to $3.22, while trading volume climbed 164.43%, signalling renewed confidence from both retail and institutional traders.
Analysts say the ruling could reshape market perceptions of XRP and potentially pave the way for future institutional products tied to the asset.
Pro-XRP lawyer Bill Morgan announced that the legal dispute over Ripple’s previous programmatic and institutional XRP sales has been resolved with the SEC.
The clarification confirms that these sales were compliant under US law, establishing that XRP itself is not a security.
This development follows years of litigation that placed XRP under intense regulatory scrutiny, with Ripple and its community consistently challenging the SEC’s stance.
The resolution has been widely interpreted as a significant turning point for the asset, particularly in the United States market.
Analysts note that the combination of legal clarity and increased liquidity could drive more institutional participation in the months ahead.
The latest ruling has bolstered expectations that large financial institutions may reconsider their stance on XRP.
Some market commentators have even suggested that asset management giant BlackRock could explore an XRP exchange-traded fund, a move that would broaden access to the token for mainstream investors.
While no official ETF filing has been made, industry experts believe XRP’s regulatory clarity gives it a competitive advantage over other digital assets still facing classification uncertainty.
This could help position XRP as a viable option for both cross-border payment solutions and investment products.
The settlement has reignited debates between the XRP and Bitcoin communities. Bitcoin-only advocates have continued to brand altcoins as securities, with MicroStrategy chairman Michael Saylor repeatedly asserting that only Bitcoin qualifies as a commodity.
Morgan pushed back against these claims, highlighting XRP’s performance since its launch, which he calculated as exceeding 50,000% growth.
He also responded to recent criticism from Bitcoin maximalists such as Adam Livingston, who alleged that Ripple could use banks to offload XRP onto retail investors.
Traders are now monitoring whether XRP can sustain its upward momentum. The recent surge, combined with the removal of legal uncertainty, has given the asset a stronger market position.
However, the cryptocurrency landscape remains highly competitive, and community sentiment continues to influence market moves.
If institutional interest materialises, analysts expect XRP could see further demand growth, especially if new investment products are introduced.
The ruling may also spark fresh regulatory conversations around the status of other digital assets, potentially influencing the broader crypto market.
