- Ripple’s recent release of 1 billion XRP from its escrow account has led to a 1.70% dip in the token’s price, sparking concerns among traders.
- Meanwhile, pro-crypto attorney Fred Rispoli has questioned whether the SEC would need to refund Ripple’s $125 million fine if the SEC’s appeal fails, adding to the ongoing uncertainty.
Ripple’s recent transfer of 1 billion XRP from its escrow account on September 1 has raised eyebrows within the cryptocurrency community, especially among XRP holders. As Ripple continues to navigate its ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), this substantial movement of XRP tokens has added to the uncertainty surrounding the altcoin.
XRP Faces Selling Pressure, Dips to $0.55
The transfer of 1 billion XRP, executed in three phases—500 million, 200 million, and 300 million tokens—was closely monitored by Whale Alerts, a popular blockchain tracking service. This large-scale release has sparked concerns among XRP traders, who fear the influx of tokens could lead to increased selling pressure and a subsequent decline in XRP’s price.
Indeed, XRP experienced a 1.70% drop, slipping to $0.55 on Sunday as traders processed the news. The sudden dip reflects the market’s cautious sentiment, with many questioning the impact of such a massive token unlock on the overall health of the XRP ecosystem.
What If the SEC Loses Its Appeal?
As Ripple deals with market reactions, its legal battle with the SEC remains in the spotlight. In a recent development, pro-crypto attorney Fred Rispoli posed a critical question to securities lawyers on social media platform X. Rispoli asked whether the SEC would be required to refund Ripple’s $125 million fine, along with statutory interest, should the SEC’s appeal fail.
On the odds of an #SECvsRipple appeal, can any securities lawyers answer this question for me:
— Fred Rispoli (@freddyriz) August 26, 2024
If there is an appeal and if @ripple wins on every issue over the SEC, aside from returning the $125M penalty to Ripple, does the SEC have to pay statutory interest on that?
The possibility of the SEC losing its appeal has intrigued the crypto community, especially since the final ruling by Judge Analisa Torres upheld XRP’s status as a non-security. If the appeal fails, Ripple could potentially see a significant financial windfall, further strengthening its position in the ongoing legal dispute.
On-Chain Data Suggests a Bullish Outlook
Despite the challenges, there are signs of optimism for XRP. On-chain data reveals that Ripple’s active addresses surged by nearly 17% on September 1, coinciding with a decline in the supply of XRP on exchanges. This movement of XRP from exchange wallets to private addresses suggests that investors are holding onto their tokens, potentially anticipating a price recovery.
While the large-scale transfer and legal uncertainties have clouded the immediate future of XRP, the underlying data hints at a possible bullish scenario. As Ripple continues to fight its legal battles and manage its token supply, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of XRP’s price.
