Ripple CLO Hints at SEC Softening Its Stance
In a recent X post, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, praised SEC Chair Atkins for breaking away from the aggressive enforcement stance of the previous administration. According to Alderoty, the former leadership played a role in pushing crypto innovation offshore.
Chair Atkins knows the prior administration pushed crypto companies offshore. He’s now focused on clear, tailored standards —and drawing firm lines to curb SEC overreach.
Alderoty’s remarks came shortly after the SEC launched “Project Crypto.” This initiative aims to update securities rules for on-chain finance. In this new directive, the SEC’s policy teams were instructed to collaborate with Commissioner Hester Peirce’s Crypto Task Force to deliver precise and practical guidelines.
The SEC Chair also stated that most crypto assets are not securities. He directly challenged the overuse of the Howey Test, which had previously categorized nearly all tokens as such.
The shift in tone from the SEC has led to renewed speculation that the XRP lawsuit may soon conclude. Prominent lawyer Bill Morgan has raised the question of whether the SEC will now move to drop its appeal in the case against Ripple. The suggestion is that with policy winds shifting, the agency might abandon its prior litigation posture.
Notably, former SEC attorney Marc Fagel expressed confidence that both Ripple and the SEC may file to dismiss their respective appeals ahead of the looming August 15 status report deadline. While nothing is official yet, the XRP community is watching closely for confirmation.
Policy Shifts Strengthen the Case for Ripple
Recent SEC regulatory actions suggest that the XRP lawsuit may soon conclude.. The Commission is now reviewing two significant crypto funds, Grayscale’s Digital Large Cap (GDLC) Fund and the Bitwise Crypto Index Fund, both of which include XRP among their top holdings. The SEC’s request for public comment and its August 22 deadline for input suggest that spot XRP ETFs could become a reality, opening up new institutional channels for the asset.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has rolled out a long-awaited digital asset report. The 166-page document outlines a vision for America to lead the “Golden Age of Crypto” by promoting a regulatory environment that encourages innovation rather than stifling it.
The SEC’s approval of in-kind redemptions for Ethereum and Bitcoin ETFs, bringing them into line with gold-based ETPs, was another regulatory milestone. The ruling is a change from earlier regulations that only permitted cash redemptions. This demonstrates the Commission’s readiness to update its framework for digital assets.
The overall regulatory environment seems to be moving towards clarity and collaboration as the XRP lawsuit may be nearing its end. It will soon be known if the appeal is officially dismissed this August.