Ripple’s $54M XRP Move Stirs Panic: Is the SEC About to Strike?

• Ripple’s $125 million settlement hangs in limbo as the market braces for appeal.
• The SEC’s settlement delay has signaled a strategic play, boosting appeal odds.
• XRP has dropped below key support as investors grow uneasy amid uncertainty.

The legal showdown between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken another dramatic turn, throwing the future of XRP and its market price into question. Ripple scored a win by securing a stay on its $125 million settlement, but this move has only fueled speculation that the SEC is gearing up for an appeal. 

As the battle drags on, the stakes keep rising—not just for Ripple but for the entire cryptocurrency landscape. Ripple’s latest move to transfer 100 million XRP , valued at $54 million, immediately set off alarm bells. 

Ripple Moves Token Amid SEC Tension

The transaction, revealed on September 6 by Whale Alert , happened just as the SEC hinted at its readiness to appeal the court’s previous ruling, which had leaned in Ripple’s favor. The timing is impossible to ignore. Ripple’s massive token transfer and the SEC’s looming appeal have sparked fresh tension, putting the future of XRP in the spotlight.

This wasn’t an isolated event. Alongside Ripple’s 100 million XRP transfer, Whale Alert flagged another large transaction, 31.12 million XRP worth nearly $17 million, being scooped up from the Orbit exchange by an unknown player. 

Meanwhile, a notorious whale account dumped 56 million XRP across major exchanges like Bitstamp and Bitso. These movements suggest big players are either bracing for more turbulence or cashing in before the SEC makes its next move.

The heart of the conflict remains the SEC’s claim that XRP is an unregistered security, a charge Ripple has fiercely fought. With the court pausing Ripple’s $125 million payout, the battle is far from over. 

XRP Takes a Hit as SEC Delays Settlement

While the SEC’s agreement to the stay might seem like a concession, legal experts suspect it’s a calculated play, likely paving the way for an appeal. Ripple may have bought itself time, but this pause has only raised more questions.

Pro-XRP lawyers, like Fred Rispoli, are sounding the alarm. Rispoli believes the odds of an SEC appeal have jumped, now estimating a 60% chance . The SEC’s willingness to freeze Ripple’s settlement doesn’t guarantee an appeal, but it signals they’re not backing down. 

Legal experts agree the SEC’s next move could be a major push to regain control of this high-stakes case. All this uncertainty has taken its toll on XRP. XRP has dropped below key support at $0.56, now at $0.537, signaling increasing investor unease.

On the Flipside

• The possibility of an SEC appeal, now considered more likely by legal experts, increases the risk of prolonged legal uncertainty.
• The stay was Ripple’s idea, with the hope that the SEC would appeal, meaning that, in theory, this is all part of Ripple’s plan.

Why This Matters

Ripple’s recent 100 million XRP transfer amid SEC tensions highlights growing unease, with investors either bracing for impact or cashing out. The uncertainty surrounding this case is undulating through the market, signaling more potential volatility across the broader crypto landscape.

To learn more about the ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the SEC, and how a recent legal move could affect the outcome, read here:
Ripple Takes Major Gamble Against the SEC, Is It a Winning Play?

Curious about how upcoming developments could impact the price of XRP? This article explores factors like Ripple’s stablecoin and a potential court decision:
Will XRP Surge or Sink with New Developments on the Horizon?