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Key Takeaways:
- Ripple has already paid the $125 million fine to the SEC in cash, not XRP, as confirmed by a former SEC attorney.
- The legal case isn’t fully closed due to pending appeals from both Ripple and the SEC.
- XRP continues to gain price momentum, currently sitting at $3.15, and could be poised for a breakout if bullish trends hold.
The ongoing Ripple vs SEC lawsuit has taken another turn, as new revelations dispel a wave of speculation regarding how Ripple settled its $125 million fine. Despite some rumors suggesting the payment would be made in XRP tokens, legal experts and court documents confirm the penalty was paid in cash. Still, the case is far from over.
Ripple Settled With Cash, Not XRP
Rumors recently surfaced across crypto communities that Ripple would pay its penalty using its native cryptocurrency, XRP. However, this claim was swiftly debunked by Marc Fagel, a former SEC attorney, who confirmed Ripple has already paid the $125 million in cash, not crypto. Fagel emphasized that the court order explicitly required a fiat payment, which Ripple followed.
Setting the stage for Ripple to pay 150M SEC fine with XRP. Then it goes into reserve.
— XRP Savant (@isthisthingon93) July 16, 2025
As I predicted 4 months ago.
It's nice to see the experts finally catch up with the Savant.
Moreover, while the company was initially expected to pay the full $125 million, updated court filings show Ripple will only pay $50 million, with the remaining $75 million returned to them. These funds are currently held in escrow until the lawsuit is finalized.
Why the Ripple vs SEC Lawsuit Isn’t Closed Yet
Despite the payment, the lawsuit between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues due to outstanding appeals. The SEC is appealing the ruling that XRP’s secondary market sales aren’t securities, while Ripple is appealing the decision that its institutional XRP sales were unregistered securities offerings.
Marc Fagel explained that both sides need to withdraw their appeals for the court order to be fully enacted. Until then, the funds will remain in escrow, and the case remains open. This process could still take 1–2 months, assuming no further legal obstacles arise.
Also Read: Ripple Seeks MiCA License to Expand Crypto Services Across Europe
XRP Price Surges as Legal Clouds Linger
Despite the unresolved litigation, XRP has shown notable strength in recent days. The token surged 29% in the past week and is now trading at approximately $3.15, having gained 7.4% in just the last 24 hours. It currently ranks third by market cap among all cryptocurrencies.
Technical analysts believe that if XRP manages to break past $3.30, it could spark a major rally toward its all-time high. Investors appear optimistic, fueled by Ripple’s partial legal victories and the potential conclusion of the case in the coming weeks.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
I’m a crypto enthusiast with a background in finance. I’m fascinated by the potential of crypto to disrupt traditional financial systems. I’m always on the lookout for new and innovative projects in the space. I believe that crypto has the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system.
