Stuart Alderoty, the Chief Legal Officer of Ripple Labs, has addressed the recent legal setback following the dismissal of a motion filed by both Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On May 15, 2025, Judge Analisa Torres rejected the motion for an indicative ruling, deeming it “procedurally improper.” The motion had sought to reduce Ripple’s civil penalty from $125 million to $50 million and remove certain restrictions from a previous judgment issued in August 2024.
Despite the ruling, Alderoty reassured the cryptocurrency community that the decision does not alter the significant victories Ripple has secured in its ongoing battle with the SEC. In a tweet, he emphasized that “Nothing in today’s order changes Ripple’s wins,” referring to the court’s prior determination that XRP is not classified as a security.
The ruling, Alderoty clarified, was not a reflection on the case’s ultimate outcome, but rather a procedural issue related to the technicalities of Ripple’s cross-appeal. The joint motion, which was filed by both Ripple and the SEC, had sought a reduction in the penalty and the lifting of specific restrictions, with both parties describing the request as “fair and reasonable.” However, Judge Torres rejected the motion, citing Rule 60, which mandates the demonstration of “exceptional circumstances” for such requests.
Alderoty’s statement reassured supporters, stating that Ripple and the SEC remain in agreement on the desire to resolve the case. He also noted that the parties would revisit the issue with the court in the near future. The announcement sparked a range of reactions from the crypto community, with some expressing frustration over the prolonged nature of the case. One user, @BenBrow63393296, commented, “Every month they say it’s over, then they say it’s all over but this little thing. It’s the same every month.”
Other voices expressed dismay over the procedural setback, with @Crypto_0wl asking, “How did you guys screw this up?? You fight for 5 years and spend a few hundred million dollars and get denied due to improper procedure!!”
Ripple’s legal developments have had a noticeable impact on XRP’s market performance. Following the news of the motion’s dismissal, XRP’s price dropped by 4.68%, falling to $2.44. The price had initially approached a resistance zone at $2.55 but quickly retreated, with the asset now testing a support level at $2.23.
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