In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Ripple Labs Inc. and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), both parties have filed a joint motion to release $125 million held in escrow. The lawsuit, which was initiated by the SEC in December 2020, has been a focal point in the cryptocurrency and financial markets.
The case revolves around the SEC’s allegations that Ripple conducted an unregistered securities offering through its XRP token sales, which Ripple has vehemently denied. The joint motion filed by Ripple and the SEC seeks to release the $125 million in funds that were placed in escrow as part of a settlement agreement between Ripple’s co-founders and the SEC.
The move to release the funds comes as the case appears to be nearing its conclusion, with both parties expressing their desire to resolve the legal dispute. The $125 million in question is part of a larger sum held in escrow, totaling $1.3 billion, which was set aside to cover potential liabilities related to the XRP token.
Industry experts have weighed in on the significance of this joint motion. Some believe that the decision to release the funds could signal a potential settlement between Ripple and the SEC, bringing an end to the prolonged legal battle that has cast a shadow over Ripple’s operations and the broader cryptocurrency market.
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the cryptocurrency industry, as it could set a precedent for how regulators approach the issue of securities offerings in the digital asset space. The resolution of the lawsuit could also provide clarity for other blockchain projects and companies operating in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
While the joint motion to release $125 million in escrow is a positive development in the Ripple-SEC legal saga, it remains to be seen how the case will ultimately unfold. As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve and attract increased regulatory scrutiny, the outcome of this high-profile case will undoubtedly be closely watched by industry participants and observers.
References:
1. “Ripple, SEC File Joint Motion to Release $125M Held in Escrow” – CoinDesk [https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/06/13/ripple-sec-file-joint-motion-to-release-125m-held-in-escrow]
2. “SEC, Ripple file motion to release $125M in escrow as case winds down” – Cointelegraph [https://cointelegraph.com/news/sec-ripple-motion-release-125-million-case-winds-down?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound]
