XRP Lawsuit: US SEC Makes Important Move in Ripple Case, Here’s All

SEC opposes Justin Keener's emergency XRP lawsuit filing, citing lack of jurisdiction; Ripple's legal battle nears end as SEC drops appeal.
XRP Lawsuit: US SEC Makes Important Move in Ripple Case, Here’s All

Highlights

  • SEC denies Justin W. Keener's emergency Ripple lawsuit request, citing lack of jurisdiction and improper filing procedure.
  • Ripple's legal battle nears end as SEC drops appeal, even as company announces $1.25B acquisition of Hidden Road.
  • 20 XRP ETFs set to launch following Ripple lawsuit conclusion, marking a significant development in crypto space.

XRP Lawsuit: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed an opposition to a recent emergency request submitted by Justin W. Keener in the Ripple lawsuit. Keener’s filing aimed to present what he called “decisive evidence” in support of Ripple and the “liberty of the American people.”

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US SEC Opposes Keener’s Request Over Jurisdiction and Procedure

According to a recent filing, the US SEC asked Judge Analisa Torres to reject the emergency request filed by Justin W. Keener on April 3, 2025. The agency argued that the District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider the request since the Ripple case has already been moved to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

The SEC used several authorities from different courts as the basis of their decision, specifically citing New York v. Department of Homeland Security, 974 F.3d 210 (2d Cir. 2020). The Commission explained that this be the position once a timely appeal is filed that the matters under appeal are beyond the jurisdiction of the District court.

The SEC also pointed out that Keener did not file the appropriate motion to intervene in the case he deemed to involve unlawful conduct by the defendants. They argued that this means that the court cannot consider his request for an emergency stay. They cited other cases where such a motion by the third party without the permission of the court was thrown out of court.

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SEC Maintains Ripple Can Handle Its Defense Without Outside Help

In its reply, the US SEC stated that even if the provided evidence of Keener was relevant, Ripple could decide to present it on its own. The agency suggested that Ripple and its legal team know the kind of documents that are useful in the XRP lawsuit on their own.

The Commission added, “There does not seem to be any provision that the Request’s filer cannot forward the ‘evidence’ listed in the Request to the Defendants.” They responded that Ripple could produce any such material if it considered it to be relevant.

The US SEC also reminded the court that a previous request from third parties to submit similar evidence had already been denied. In that instance, Judge Torres ruled that no further intervention from unrelated parties was needed.

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Details of Keener’s Emergency Request Remain Unclear

Keener, who has faced separate SEC charges in the past, submitted a brief letter claiming he possessed key evidence in support of Ripple.

He said the material could help the defendants and promote “liberty for the American people,” but he did not give specifics.

While some observers believe the evidence may relate to physical investment contracts, Keener has not confirmed this. The document raised questions in the Ripple community, especially since the case appears to be nearing an end.

XRP Lawsuit Nears Conclusion as SEC Drops Appeal

The SEC’s opposition comes after recent announcements that the legal dispute with Ripple is coming to a close. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed that the XRP lawsuit has officially ended. This followed the SEC’s decision to drop its appeal in the ongoing case. This move boosted optimism since as of now, around 20 XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are reportedly filed with the US SEC.

Despite the news, XRP’s price did not show a strong positive reaction. Still, many in the crypto community believe the conclusion of the lawsuit may bring new developments for Ripple.

However basking under the XRP lawsuit dismissal, Ripple recently announced a $1.25 billion deal to acquire Hidden Road, a global multi-asset prime broker. This would make Ripple the first crypto firm to own and operate such a platform.

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Kelvin Munene Murithi
Kelvin Munene is a crypto and finance journalist with over 5 years of experience, offering in-depth market analysis and expert commentary . With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Actuarial Science from Mount Kenya University, Kelvin is known for his meticulous research and strong writing skills, particularly in cryptocurrency, blockchain, and financial markets. His work has been featured across top industry publications such as Coingape, Cryptobasic, MetaNews, Cryptotimes, Coinedition, TheCoinrepublic, Cryptotale, and Analytics Insight among others, where he consistently provides timely updates and insightful content. Kelvin’s focus lies in uncovering emerging trends in the crypto space, delivering factual and data-driven analyses that help readers make informed decisions. His expertise extends across market cycles, technological innovations, and regulatory shifts that shape the crypto landscape. Beyond his professional achievements, Kelvin has a passion for chess, traveling, and exploring new adventures.
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