Ripple (XRP) is on the verge of a potential breakthrough as the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prepares to withdraw all demands for fines or further lawsuits.
The long-running investigation by the SEC, which questioned whether XRP was an unregistered security, is nearing its conclusion with a final settlement expected by July 18.
Impact on Ripple and XRP
The settlement is anticipated to eliminate doubts and legal uncertainties surrounding XRP, potentially freeing Ripple from the burden of future legal actions.
This development comes after a series of SEC investigations into various crypto projects, which have led to a mix of fines and favourable outcomes.
Market Reactions
The SEC's dropping of charges against Ripple coincided with increased trading activity and interest in XRP.
Recent market activity saw XRP's price rallying above $0.60, driven by optimism over the potential settlement, before dipping back to $0.57.
Historical Context
The SEC’s investigation paralleled a significant drop in XRP trading and overall interest, pressuring its price below $0.40 for an extended period.
Conversely, Ethereum benefited from a favourable SEC decision, which boosted trading and led to the launch of several ETF products.
Community and Market Sentiment
XRP has a dedicated community of loyal supporters, but it has struggled to regain its status in the evolving crypto market.
The project has lagged in adopting DeFi developments, with only 4.8 million wallets, limiting its appeal compared to newer altcoins.
Technological and Market Position
Despite recent gains, XRP remains technologically distinct and somewhat disconnected from the broader crypto ecosystem of 2024.
Chart analysts suggest that XRP’s long-term sideways movement might signal an impending breakout.
Future Prospects
High-profile figures like Crypto Bitlord have reignited interest in XRP, predicting potential price targets above $1.30 if the current rally continues.
Ripple aims to enhance its use cases to compete with other established chains, focusing on long-term goals like interbank transfers and staking options.
Tokenization Efforts
Ripple’s network currently lacks robust tokenization options, a feature widely adopted by other crypto platforms.
The company has released a whitepaper on real-world asset tokenization, but its practical application in this area remains limited.
The potential settlement with the SEC marks a critical juncture for Ripple, potentially revitalizing XRP’s market presence and addressing long-standing legal challenges. However, XRP must still navigate technological gaps and market dynamics to fully regain its stature.