Ripple vs SEC: Is the Case Closed? Judge’s Sign-Off Dispute Divides Crypto Community

The legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken yet another twist, and this time, it’s not about price charts but about legal procedure.

A few days ago, reports surfaced claiming that SEC Gov v. Ripple was officially over after both parties filed a Joint Dismissal of the Appeals. Social media posts quickly went viral with the headline “The case is over.”

However, not everyone bought the news. Many in the crypto community dismissed the claims as premature or outright fake, leading to heated debates across X (formerly Twitter).

Analyst: “No Judge’s Signature Needed”

Crypto analyst Zach Rector weighed in, saying that under federal appellate court rules, both parties agreeing to dismiss an appeal doesn’t always require a judge’s sign-off.

Rector pointed to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure (FRAP) 42(b), which allows for a “stipulated dismissal,” meaning the circuit clerk can close the case if both parties sign an agreement, specify cost arrangements, and pay any required court fees.

In other words, if the appeal is being dropped with no extra requests, a judge’s approval isn’t mandatory.

When a Judge’s Order Becomes Necessary

Legal experts also clarified that if the dismissal agreement includes more than just ending the appeal, such as approving a settlement, reducing penalties, or vacating a lower court’s decision, a judge’s order is required.

Former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel addressed one of the community’s big questions: whether the supposed reduction in Ripple’s penalty (from $125 million to $50–$75 million) was true. Fagel confirmed it was not and Judge Torres had refused to lower the penalty, meaning Ripple will still pay the full $125 million ordered by the court.

Bottom Line: Appeals Dropped

If both Ripple and the SEC have agreed to drop the appeal without other conditions, the case at the appellate level is indeed over without a judge’s signature. But the penalty stands, and the dismissal doesn’t erase the original ruling or change the outcome on fines.