XRP News Today: SEC vs. Ripple Stalemate – What’s Next for XRP as BTC Visits $85K?

SEC vs. Ripple: Agency’s Silence Draws Criticism

The SEC’s silence in the Ripple case has drawn criticism despite its ongoing retreat from non-fraud enforcement actions against crypto firms.

Pro-crypto lawyer Fred Rispoli questioned the SEC’s silence in the Ripple case:

“I don’t know why SEC v. Ripple is still going considering other major cases, especially Coinbase, have been dropped. Clearly, the absence of Paul Atkins did not worry the current 3-member SEC Commission on those large litigation issues. My best guess is that, given the $125M judgment, that is real money that Uyeda and Pierce do not want to have responsibility for modifying. Not a great excuse (shows cowardice), but it does make some sense. The case is over regardless, either now or in a few months.”

When asked whether the SEC could drop the appeal and address the $125 million penalty later, Rispoli clarified:

“No. Whether that amount is excess is part of Ripple’s appeal. Dropping that appeal would drop that argument and make the $125 million immediately enforceable (which Ripple has no problem with btw).”

Notably, the SEC is not appealing Judge Torres’ $125 million civil penalty for XRP sales to institutional investors despite initially pushing for a $2 billion fine. Instead, the agency is challenging the 2023 Summary Judgment, where Judge Torres ruled that programmatic sales of XRP did not satisfy the third prong of the Howey Test.

SEC Drops Investigation into Uniswap Amid Strategic Shift

While the reasons behind the inactivity in the Ripple case are unclear, SEC activity in the courts appears to be accelerating. One possible reason for the SEC’s silence is the court schedule. Ripple must file its appeal-related reply brief by April 16, allowing the SEC and its Crypto Task Force, to focus on more pressing cases.

Since Acting Chair Mark Uyeda appointed Commissioner Hester Peirce to lead the newly established Crypto Task Force, the SEC has:

• Dismissed the lawsuit against Coinbase (COIN).
• Withdrew its appeal against rulings in the Blockchain Association and Crypto Freedom Alliance of Texas (CFAT) case.
• Jointly requested stays in the Binance and Lejilex cases, delaying proceedings until April due to leadership changes and the Crypto Task Force’s involvement.
• Closing its investigations into Robinhood Crypto, Opensea, and, most recently, Uniswap.

On February 25, Uniswap issued a press release confirming the SEC had ended its investigation, declaring:

“The SEC has officially closed – with no action – its multi-year investigation into Uniswap Labs. Last year the SEC issued a Wells Notice, claiming that Uniswap Labs operated an unregistered securities exchange, engaged in unregistered broker or clearing firm activity, or issued an unregistered security.”

The growing list of abandoned cases and investigations highlights the shift away from the Biden Administration and former SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s stance toward digital assets.

Beyond enforcement actions, the three-Commissioner SEC has also:

• Removed Staff Legal Bulletin No. 14L,[7]
• Rescinded Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121,[8] which had effectively prevented banks and broker-dealers from taking custody of crypto assets.

XRP Price Trends: SEC Appeal and ETF Prospects

On Tuesday, February 25, XRP gained 1.85%, partially reversing Monday’s 11.5% plunge to close at $2.3222. XRP outperformed the broader crypto market, which fell 1.79% to a total market cap of $2.88 trillion. Hopes of an eventual withdrawal of the SEC’s appeal in the Ripple case bolstered XRP demand.

In the near term, XRP price action will hinge on two key factors:

• SEC Appeal Decision: If the SEC drops its appeal, XRP could rally beyond its all-time high of $3.5505. Continued legal uncertainty, however, may cap prices below $1.50.
• ETF Developments: Approval of an XRP-spot ETF could attract institutional inflows, potentially propelling XRP toward $5.

Read expert analysis on what could drive XRP to new highs here.

Bitcoin Drops Below $90K as Macro Headwinds Bite

Despite altcoins finding much-needed support on February 25, bitcoin (BTC) faced renewed selling pressure, dropping below $90k for the first time since January 13.

BTC has failed to reclaim the crucial $100k level for eighteen consecutive sessions and is down 19% from its January 20 record high of $109,312.

Several macro factors have impacted BTC price trends, including:

• US tariff developments and trade tensions.
• A higher-for-longer Fed policy stance.
• The Bybit hack that rattled investor confidence.
• A lack of progress toward a US Strategic BTC Reserve (SBR).

US SBR Developments and BTC-Spot ETF Flows

Recently, the US States of Montana and South Dakota voted against state-level SBRs, dampening hopes for a national SBR. Speculation about a potential national SBR drove BTC to its all-time high of $109,312.

In late 2024, Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced the Bitcoin Act, proposing that the US government acquire one million BTC over five years, with a mandatory 20-year holding period. Such a move would significantly tilt the supply-demand balance in BTC’s favor. However, the lack of progress has impacted investor sentiment and contributed to net outflows from BTC-spot ETFs.

On February 25, market intelligence firm Santiment shared a chart on sentiment toward BTC, ETH, ETH, and XRP, stating:

“With crypto’s slide and Bitcoin’s fall down to $86K today, the community’s sentiment levels are essentially at rock-bottom. Historically, when notably high FUD and trader capitulation begins to trickle in at these levels, the cryptocurrency bottom is near.”

Meanwhile, US BTC-spot ETF market flows continue to reflect investor caution. According to Farside Investors, the US BTC-spot ETF market has recorded net outflows of $1,649 million in net outflows since peaking on February 7, 2025. On February 24 alone, issuers saw net outflows of $539 million, extending the outflow streak to 10 sessions, the longest since launching in January 2024.

Bitcoin Price Outlook

On February 25, BTC fell 3.24% after Monday’s 4.64% slide, closing at $88,655, the lowest close since November 2024.

Key BTC Price Scenarios:

• Bearish: Tariff risks, stronger US economic data, Fed hawkishness, and resistance to a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) could send BTC toward $80,000.
• Bullish: Easing trade tensions, progress on a Bitcoin reserve, dovish Fed signals, and SBR progress could push BTC toward its all-time high of $109,312.

Market Outlook: Regulatory Developments Remain Key

Investors should closely monitor:

1. The SEC’s decision on its Ripple case appeal.
2. US tariff policies and inflationary impact.
3. US economic data and Fed policy shifts.
4. Progress on a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
5. BTC-spot ETF developments and institutional inflows.

If the SEC drops its appeal in the Ripple case, it could send shockwaves through crypto markets, while a US bitcoin reserve strategy remains the wildcard for institutional adoption. Keep an eye out for our updates and the latest insights here.