- Paul Atkins’ appointment as SEC chair raised hopes for a faster XRP lawsuit resolution, but legal experts now point to internal procedures as the main cause of delays.
- Despite high trading activity, the case remains in limbo as both parties explore settlement options.
The appointment of Paul Atkins as the new chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was initially seen as a turning point for the long-running XRP lawsuit. With his pro-crypto stance and calls for regulatory reform, Atkins’ leadership sparked hopes of a swift resolution to the case between Ripple Labs and the SEC. But weeks later, legal experts are offering mixed signals, and optimism is beginning to cool.
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At the heart of the debate is whether Atkins’ arrival can truly influence the pace of the lawsuit. Former SEC attorney James Farrell argues that key decisions in the Ripple case were made well before Atkins took the helm. He suggests that internal procedures and ongoing evaluations—not leadership changes—are to blame for the delays. Meanwhile, pro-XRP lawyer Fred Rispoli sees things differently. Rispoli believes that the new leadership has the power, and now the responsibility, to eliminate bureaucratic excuses and push the case forward.
Despite a temporary legal pause granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals, which hints at potential behind-the-scenes negotiations, there’s no guarantee of a swift outcome. The SEC is expected to deliver a 60-day update, yet both parties seem to be using this time to explore settlement possibilities. Legal scholars caution that these types of procedural stays are common and not necessarily driven by leadership shifts.
In the crypto markets, XRP has responded to the uncertainty with a slight dip, dropping 2% to $2.09 despite high trading volumes topping $2.43 billion. While the price previously peaked at $2.14 following a court hearing, further gains seem tethered to the case’s resolution. Analysts remain divided, with some optimistic about a settlement and others wary of prolonged delays.
For now, the XRP lawsuit remains in limbo. Paul Atkins may bring a fresh vision to the SEC, but whether that translates into faster justice for Ripple—and clarity for the crypto market—remains to be seen.