TLDR
- Ripple refrained from publicly promoting XRP to avoid legal risks associated with the SEC’s scrutiny.
- Legal expert Bill Morgan explains that Ripple’s strategy was to avoid strengthening the SEC’s case against XRP.
- Ripple kept a low profile between 2018 and 2020 while other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin gained attention.
- The company’s legal team monitored the situation closely to ensure XRP did not face classification as a security.
- A provision in the U.S. Clarity Act draft could provide Ripple with legal relief by exempting XRP from securities classification in 2026.
Ripple has long maintained a low profile with its XRP asset, fearing it could draw the attention of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Bill Morgan, a legal expert familiar with XRP’s legal battles, recently explained that Ripple deliberately refrained from promoting XRP publicly due to potential legal risks. As the SEC scrutinized digital assets, Ripple understood that any public discussion about XRP could worsen their legal situation.
Ripple’s Silent Strategy Between 2018 and 2020
From 2018 to 2020, Ripple largely avoided speaking about XRP and the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The company understood that drawing attention to the asset could strengthen the SEC’s case that XRP was an unregistered security. “Ripple refrained from promoting XRP because the SEC could use it against them,” Morgan said. While other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum gained significant attention, Ripple remained quiet.
How much do you think that has to do with the fact that Ripple could not promote XRP or the XRPL for fear of being sued by the SEC for promoting and offering for sale an unregistered Security. Even then it was sued.
This was true during critical periods between 2018 and 2020 and… https://t.co/odrxrGQo9Q
— bill morgan (@Belisarius2020) January 12, 2026
This strategy was a calculated decision, allowing Ripple to avoid adding fuel to the fire while the legal battles continued. In contrast to Michael Saylor‘s public advocacy for Bitcoin, Ripple’s silence worked in their favor to keep the focus off XRP. The legal risks were significant, and Ripple understood that its public engagement could lead to complications, especially with the SEC’s ever-watchful eye.
Legal Strategy Focused on Avoiding SEC’s Attention
Ripple’s legal team closely monitored the SEC’s actions from 2013 onward, carefully navigating how to communicate about XRP. The company had to make strategic decisions regarding its public presence, including how to promote the technology behind XRP without violating securities laws. According to Morgan, Ripple’s primary concern was ensuring that any promotional activity would not provide the SEC with additional arguments for classification as a security.
Ripple’s cautious approach was not only a defensive tactic but also part of a long-term plan. The company chose to keep a low profile, allowing the legal landscape to evolve without making public moves that might negatively impact the case. This avoidance of marketing and public endorsements limited the development of XRP’s global presence, but Ripple made that sacrifice to protect itself from potential litigation.
U.S. Clarity Act Could Provide Ripple with Legal Relief
In 2026, Ripple may finally see the legal clarity it has been waiting for. A provision in the U.S. Clarity Act draft could exempt XRP from securities classification under the 1933 Act. The provision specifically states that tokens, such as XRP, which are the primary assets of U.S.-listed ETFs, will not be considered securities after January 1, 2026.
Ripple had struggled to secure this exemption in court, but the new clause may provide a clear path forward. With XRP meeting the necessary criteria, this clause would provide a legal shield for Ripple. This potential change in legislation comes after years of legal uncertainty, offering the company hope that its long-standing strategy may soon yield the results they have been waiting for.
