Rewrite ### Ripple Negotiates with SEC, Delaying Case Resolution
– **A Fox Business reporter suggests Ripple is negotiating better settlement terms, causing delays in its legal dispute with the SEC.**
– **Accepting Judge Torres’ ruling could imply an admission of wrongdoing, which Ripple aims to avoid.**
#### XRP Sees Price Increase Amid Legal Updates
XRP has gained **2%** in the last 24 hours, rising from **$2.10 to $2.22**, following reports that its prolonged legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is nearing resolution. According to Fox Business journalist **Eleanor Terrett**, the only obstacle remaining in the case is Ripple’s push for more favorable settlement terms.
### Background of Ripple vs. SEC
A federal court ruled in **August 2024** that Ripple must pay **$125 million** to the SEC for violating securities laws in its **direct XRP sales to institutional investors**. Initially, Ripple proposed placing these funds in **escrow**, a move later accepted by the SEC.
However, the legal landscape has shifted. Under its new leadership, the SEC has withdrawn from multiple high-profile cases, including **Robinhood, Coinbase, and Gemini**. Ripple now argues that if the SEC is reconsidering past enforcement actions, it should not have to pay the penalty in full.
### Judge Torres’ Ruling and Ripple’s Concerns
Ripple appears to be resisting **Judge Analisa Torres’ 2023 ruling**, which found that the company’s **1,278 institutional XRP sales** violated securities laws. While the ruling clarified that sales to retail investors **via exchanges were legal**, accepting the decision could imply that Ripple **admits to regulatory violations**.
Terrett cited a source stating that Ripple finds it unfair to conclude the case based on previous enforcement standards when **regulatory clarity** might change the legal landscape.
> “If the new SEC leadership is revising its approach for other crypto firms, why should Ripple still face penalties? Accepting the ruling would mean admitting to wrongdoing, even as the SEC itself questions whether any occurred.”
### Legal Experts’ Opinions on the Delay
On **March 1**, legal analyst **MetaLawMan** speculated that Ripple is pushing for a **”vacatur”**—a legal move to erase parts of Judge Torres’ ruling. While the decision was mostly favorable for XRP investors, he noted that acknowledging any **securities law violation** and facing potential **injunctions** may not align with Ripple’s long-term business strategy.
Additionally, Ripple could be positioning itself for **a possible Initial Coin Offering (ICO)** or another **regulated securities offering**, making it critical to clear its legal status.
> “I believe the SEC would have accepted a settlement—including the $125 million fine—almost immediately. It’s likely Ripple is negotiating for something better.”
As discussions continue, market participants eagerly watch for a final resolution that could bring regulatory clarity to both Ripple and the broader crypto industry.