The XRP lawsuit has taken a new turn with the SEC’s latest appeal, signaling a potential extension of the legal battle between Ripple and the regulatory agency. Many prominent legal experts don’t expect a swift resolution to the case.

An ex-SEC lawyer has shed light on a possible motivation behind the SEC’s appeal in this high-profile cryptocurrency case.

Ripple SEC Settlement Prospects in XRP Lawsuit

The XRP lawsuit continues to be one of the most closely watched cases in the crypto industry. Ripple has maintained its stance against settling over XRP’s security classification. A previous court ruling that XRP is not a security bolstered optimism in the market.

However, the SEC’s recent appeal is viewed as a strategic move to challenge this ruling. The appeal’s targeting of Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and executive chairman Chris Larsen has sparked speculation throughout the crypto community.

Former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel recently stated on X (formerly Twitter) that a Ripple-SEC settlement is unlikely given the appeal. He explained that any settlement now wouldn’t overturn the court’s previous summary judgment favoring Ripple on XRP’s non-security status.

The appeal remains a significant hurdle for potential settlement discussions. Legal experts argue that Ripple has little incentive to settle with a favorable ruling already in hand, unless the SEC’s appeal is resolved.

Crypto commentator Cryptoinsightuk suggested Ripple might consider settling based on the appeal’s outcome. However, Fagel dismissed this idea, emphasizing that Ripple has little to gain by settling under current circumstances. Both parties appear to be preparing for a prolonged legal battle with no immediate resolution in sight.

XRP Price Surges Amid Cross-Appeal Anticipation

Market experts anticipate Ripple may file a cross-appeal in the ongoing lawsuit. Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty criticized the SEC following their recent appeal filing, hinting at the possibility of a cross-appeal.

Pro-XRP lawyers predict the Ripple-SEC case may conclude in late 2025 or early 2026, indicating the legal battle will likely continue for some time.

Meanwhile, XRP’s price has climbed to $0.54, gaining over 2%, with trading volume jumping 77% to $1.08 billion. The cryptocurrency touched a high of $0.5454 and a low of $0.5305 in the past 24 hours. CoinGlass data showed XRP Futures Open Interest rose more than 2%, suggesting positive market sentiment.

Despite the SEC’s appeal, crypto experts remain bullish on XRP. A recent price analysis suggests the cryptocurrency could potentially reach $277 in the coming days.