A new chapter is beginning for Ripple
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as its long-standing legal struggle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) comes to a close. CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed the end of the lawsuit in an interview with Fox Business, providing striking details about new negotiations with the U.S. government. Ripple plans to retract a substantial part of the previously committed $125 million penalty and intends to make a total payment of $100 million to the SEC and the U.S. government, with the possibility of this payment being made in XRP.
Payment Negotiations in XRP Underway
Garlinghouse announced the conclusion of the legal battle with the SEC, marking a fresh start for the company. With the new administration in place, the necessity for Ripple to pay the $125 million fine is being reevaluated. The company had previously started to hold this amount in an escrow account, but it is now in the process of reclaiming most of it.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse
According to the CEO, Ripple will only pay $50 million to the SEC and another $50 million to the U.S. government. Even more remarkable is that negotiations are ongoing for this payment to be made in XRP, which symbolizes the acceptance of cryptocurrencies by formal institutions.
Garlinghouse pointed out that former SEC Chair Gary Gensler had displayed a hostile attitude toward the cryptocurrency sector during his tenure. He noted that with the new administration, there has been a significant shift in this approach, leading to clearer and more functional regulations.
Ripple Moves into Institutional Cryptocurrency Era
The interview also delved into Ripple’s future vision beyond the lawsuit. Garlinghouse stated that Ripple has now moved beyond the “cryptowar” with the SEC, entering a new phase he described as a stage where institutional capital merges with decentralized finance.
The recent acquisition of Hidden Road, costing nearly $2 billion, is a crucial part of this vision. This acquisition is recorded as one of the largest ever in the cryptocurrency sector. Garlinghouse indicated that such a move would have been unthinkable if regulatory pressure from a year ago had continued.
Market conditions are now more positive and open to cooperation. Major players like Ripple aim to leverage this environment to build lasting institutional-level solutions within the sector. The steps taken by the company during this period highlight not only financial but also legal security enhancements.
