The legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) remains a focal point of discussion as the agency continues to pursue its appeal. While the SEC has requested pauses in other crypto-related lawsuits, it has not extended the same consideration to Ripple.
This decision has sparked questions regarding why Ripple remains a priority despite leadership changes and evolving regulatory discussions.
According to Fox Business’s legal sources, the SEC prioritizes cases with immediate court deadlines. Ripple had requested an April 16 deadline for its opening brief in the cross-appeal, while the SEC proceeded with its appeal, filing its brief in mid-January.
This action came just days before SEC Chair Gary Gensler resigned, a move that many believed would lead to a shift in regulatory strategy. However, the Ripple case remains active, indicating that the agency still considers it a significant legal battle.
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SEC’s Case Prioritization and Ripple’s Response
According to Eleanor Terrett, a journalist from Fox Business, the SEC’s decision not to pause the Ripple appeal stems from its focus on cases with more immediate deadlines. Legal sources indicate that Kraken’s court deadline is March 31, while Binance’s case is on hold until April 14.
Similarly, Lejilex’s legal proceedings are paused until April 11, and Coinbase has agreed to an extended deadline with the SEC until March 14.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has strongly criticized the SEC’s continued pursuit of the case, calling it “the definition of insanity.” Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, dismissed the agency’s filing as “noise,” arguing that non-fraud cases like Ripple’s should be deprioritized.
Industry speculation suggests that a change in SEC leadership could eventually lead to the case being dropped. Despite Ripple’s push for a postponement following Gensler’s resignation, the SEC has remained firm in its approach.
The regulator has selectively paused other legal battles, such as requesting a 60-day pause in the Binance case, yet continues to press ahead with its fight against Ripple.
New Leadership Could Influence SEC’s Strategy
The anticipated leadership change at the SEC may ultimately influence the ongoing lawsuit against Ripple. According to Fox Business, former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins is a leading candidate to replace Gensler as the next SEC Chair.
Atkins is known for his crypto-friendly views, and his appointment could signal a shift in regulatory enforcement priorities. Legal experts suggest that the SEC’s stance on Ripple could change once new leadership takes over.
Ripple’s legal team has previously predicted that the case might be voluntarily withdrawn in 2025. If Atkins assumes the chairmanship, there is growing speculation that the SEC could step away from the Ripple appeal altogether.
For now, the SEC remains committed to pursuing its appeal against Ripple, despite postponing other cases.
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