In a major development in the ongoing legal battle between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Judge Analisa Torres has firmly rejected a joint request from both parties to sidestep her previous ruling through a private settlement.
Both Ripple and the SEC had sought the court’s permission to proceed with a private agreement that would effectively nullify Judge Torres' earlier decision. However, in her ruling, the judge made it clear that court judgments—especially those based on existing law—cannot simply be erased through private arrangements.
Judge Torres emphasized that her ruling was rooted in legal precedent and applicable statutes, which remain unchanged. As such, she stated there was no basis for reversing her prior decision. Furthermore, she noted that neither Ripple nor the SEC have the authority to override a final court ruling without following the proper appellate process.
Crypto attorney Fred Rispoli weighed in on the situation, noting that the next critical step will be a joint status report due to the Second Circuit Court in August. This report will disclose whether both sides intend to continue with the appeal or if they’ve reached a negotiated settlement.
Rispoli suggested that a settlement remains the most likely outcome, predicting a potential announcement by late July or early August. If the case proceeds through the appeal process, it could drag on until late 2026 or even into 2027.
Attorney Bill Morgan also commented on the developments via social media. He pointed out that, as Judge Torres stated, Ripple and the SEC still have the option to settle by mutually withdrawing their appeals. Morgan noted that while this has always been on the table, Ripple appeared to be seeking more—specifically, the dissolution of the injunction.
This case continues to be one of the most closely watched in the crypto space, with far-reaching implications for the classification of digital assets and the SEC’s role in regulating them. With the clock ticking toward August, the crypto industry remains on edge as it waits to see whether Ripple and the SEC will choose resolution or escalation.
June 2025, Cryptoniteuae