XRP News Today: Eight Sessions Below $0.60 As SEC Appeal Uncertainty Weighs on Prices

Since August 7, XRP has been trending downward, although Ripple claimed victory after Judge Torres handed down his verdict. Judge Torres ordered Ripple to pay $125 million for violating Section 5 of the US Securities Act, which is significantly less than the SEC's demand of $2 billion.

In addition, the court ordered Ripple to comply with U.S. securities laws going forward. The SEC sought an injunction prohibiting Ripple from selling XRP to U.S. institutional investors, possibly to thwart Ripple's plans to target the U.S. market.

The $125 million fine and injunction may not justify the SEC's nearly four-year trial and legal costs, but a successful appeal could significantly increase the fine and include an injunction prohibiting the sale of XRP to institutional investors.

Chances of a victory for the SEC in the appeals courts

Stuart Alderoty, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, discussed the final ruling and the likelihood of an appeal in a recent interview, stating:

“If the SEC were a rational actor, they should just put this case behind them. But we all know that when it comes to crypto, the SEC has proven that it does not act rationally. […] So it wouldn’t surprise me if the SEC actually appeals.”

Alderoty believes that the SEC will appeal despite Ripple's favorable outlook. Ripple's CLO emphasized that appellate courts uphold lower court decisions 90% of the time.