Rumors spread online that the SEC’s case against Ripple could drag on until 2026. But legal expert Bill Morgan says that’s highly improbable.
Why a 2026 Decision Is Unlikely
Morgan points to the current legal proceedings. Ripple and the SEC recently filed a joint motion asking the judge to modify the existing ruling and distribute the $125 million penalty. A key part of this motion is that both sides would then seek a limited review by a higher court to finalize the judgment and end all appeals.
Importantly, a higher court has already paused the appeals process and requested a simple status report by August 15, 2025. This date is being misinterpreted as a final decision deadline. It’s simply an administrative step.
The original July 2023 ruling partially favored Ripple, stating that some XRP sales weren’t securities. Following this, a $125 million penalty and an injunction were put in place. Both sides appealed, but the SEC later withdrew part of its appeal, suggesting a shift in their approach.
The current joint motion aims to resolve the case by getting the judge to give an indication of approval. If she does, the case could wrap up quickly.
The Only Way 2026 Happens
Morgan acknowledges that a 2026 decision isn’t impossible. This would only happen if the judge rejects the joint motion, leaving both sides to pursue their appeals. This would significantly delay the process, potentially pushing a final ruling into late 2026. However, Morgan considers this scenario unlikely.
At the time of writing, XRP was trading at $1.99.