Wall Street Veteran Thinks Ripple-SEC Settlement Isn’t a Fair Deal. Here’s why

Wall Street veteran and author Linda P. Jones has expressed dissatisfaction with Ripple’s resolution with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), emphasizing the damage the lawsuit caused to Ripple, XRP holders, and the broader U.S. technology sector.

In response to the recent settlement, Jones stated, “And it still doesn’t feel like this is a fair resolution. Ripple’s business suffered, XRP holders suffered and tech advancement in the U.S. suffered.”

Her comments follow an announcement by Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty confirming that the company has agreed to drop its appeal and settle the case by paying $50 million of the originally ordered $125 million fine. The SEC, in turn, will request that Judge Analisa Torres lift the injunction she previously imposed on Ripple.

The Cost of Regulation by Enforcement

Former Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett elaborated on the broader implications of the case, arguing that the SEC’s approach to crypto regulation has been ineffective.

According to Terrett, Ripple has spent between $150 million and $200 million in legal fees since the SEC filed its lawsuit in 2020. She noted that despite these costs, the company ultimately remains in a similar position to where it was before the case began.

The SEC also expended significant taxpayer resources on the litigation while it negatively impacted XRP holders. Exchanges delisted the digital asset, reducing liquidity and causing the token’s value to decline. Additionally, uncertainty surrounding the case deterred other crypto projects from operating in the U.S. out of fear of legal action.

Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss also criticized the regulator after it dropped its investigation into his company. Winklevoss called for punishments for everyone involved, including former SEC Chair Gary Gensler.

Terrett further criticized Gensler’s handling of enforcement priorities. She pointed out that while the SEC aggressively pursued firms like Ripple over alleged registration failures, it failed to prevent the collapses of companies such as FTX, Three Arrows Capital, and Celsius—events that inflicted substantial financial harm on investors.

The End of the Lawsuit

Despite the significant financial burden, Ripple successfully reduced its fine and likely avoided an injunction. Another key outcome is that Judge Torres’s ruling on programmatic and secondary market sales of XRP remains intact, providing legal clarity for future cases.

While Ripple’s settlement effectively ended the case, Jones and other industry observers remain critical of the overall process, with many expecting penalties for the SEC’s actions.

Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.

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