Ripple Labs Inc. achieved a major victory in its legal battle on June 20 when Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton granted summary judgment to dismiss the federal and state class claims that XRP was sold as an unregistered security. This ruling, however, did not definitively determine whether XRP is a security, as the court believes that this should be decided by a jury based on the Howey test’s criteria.
The case, which has been closely watched by the XRP community, was filed in the Northern District of California and has significant implications for the classification of digital assets under US securities law. Judge Hamilton’s ruling in favor of Ripple was seen as a procedural win by pro-XRP lawyer Fred Rispoli, who emphasized the importance of the decision.
Despite the dismissal of the class action claims, the court’s ruling means that Ripple’s legal battle against the SEC is still unresolved. Rispoli stated that the question of whether XRP is a security will be decided by a jury, and there is a possibility that the case will settle due to the low damages and potential negative jury verdict if the plaintiff wins. In summary, the court determined that the security status of XRP for retail buyers on an exchange is a matter for the jury to decide.
Legal experts have had mixed reactions to the court’s opinion, with some pointing out contradictions in different rulings and highlighting the complexities in the interpretation of digital assets. The dismissal of the class action claims against Ripple provides temporary relief for the company, but the broader questions about XRP’s status as a potential security remain unresolved. The upcoming jury decision on whether XRP meets the criteria of the Howey test will be crucial.
Fred Rispoli believes that the core issue at hand is the need for federal legislation to provide clarity on the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. He argues that without such legislation, XRP could be considered a security in California but not in New York.
In conclusion, while Ripple’s victory in the class action lawsuit is significant, the question of XRP’s security status remains unanswered, and the outcome of the upcoming jury trial will have a significant impact. The need for federal legislation to address the regulatory challenges posed by cryptocurrencies is also highlighted as a key issue.
