In a short 60-second video, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, shared important news about the legal victory for Ripple. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has decided to drop its case against Ripple, marking a shift in how the government is handling cryptocurrency enforcement. Alderoty explained that this decision is a clear sign that the SEC has changed its approach to regulating crypto companies.
Alderoty noted, “The SEC has not only dropped its appeal against Ripple, but they’ve also dropped every case against every crypto company in the United States.” This is a significant change, as it signals that the SEC is stepping back from its strict enforcement actions against crypto businesses.
What Does This Mean for Crypto Laws?
According to Alderoty, the SEC’s decision shows that they are finally agreeing with what the crypto industry has been saying all along. The law must be clear before enforcement actions can take place. “You can’t bring enforcement actions for violating the law without first explaining what the law is,” he said. This means that without clear rules, the SEC should not be punishing companies for breaking laws they didn’t know existed.
In the newest Crypto In One Minute, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer @s_alderoty explains why the SEC dropped its appeal against Ripple in March 2025, and where the US is going with smart crypto regulation on the horizon: https://t.co/HJ4wTBWDmx
🔒 Protecting consumers
🟢… pic.twitter.com/KD9bi66sGI— Ripple (@Ripple) May 2, 2025
Ripple has always argued that the SEC was trying to create rules by suing companies instead of making proper laws and regulations for the crypto industry. This case, which started in December 2020, was all about whether XRP should be considered a security, like stocks. It became one of the most important legal battles in the cryptocurrency world.
Ripple Next Steps and Plans for the Future
With the legal case now resolved, Ripple is looking ahead. Alderoty shared Ripple’s plans to get out of the courtroom and focus on running the business.
“We’re going to clean up the mess; we’re going to get out of the courtroom; we’re going to get back to running business,” he said. Ripple’s goal is to work with Congress to create smart and clear crypto regulations. These new rules would protect consumers, ensure fairness in the market, keep bad actors out, and encourage innovation. In 2023, Ripple won a partial victory in court. The court ruled that the company’s institutional sales of XRP were legal.
However, XRP sales on public exchanges did violate securities laws. Ripple had set aside $125 million in escrow for potential fines, but CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently promised to take that money back.
SEC’s Mistakes and Ripple Expansion
Garlinghouse also spoke about the case, saying that it was clear the SEC, under former chair Gary Gensler, was wrong.
“I think it’s just evidence that the former SEC was on the wrong side of the law,” Garlinghouse told Fox Business. He also credited the new leadership at the SEC and the White House for helping Ripple win this case. This legal victory comes at a time when Ripple is expanding rapidly. The company recently made its largest acquisition ever, buying Hidden Road for $1.25 billion.
The resolution of the SEC case has helped Ripple focus on growth and expansion instead of dealing with legal battles. Alderoty’s and Garlinghouse’s statements come at a time when the SEC is under new leadership. Paul Atkins, who was appointed by President Trump, is now the chair of the SEC. The SEC’s decision to drop all crypto enforcement cases shows that the agency’s approach to regulating crypto has fundamentally changed.
It’s also important to note that Ripple has supported President Trump in the past, making large donations to his presidential campaign and giving at least $5 million in XRP tokens to his inauguration on January 20
