TLDR
- Lawyer Bill Morgan believes Judge Torres will likely approve the joint motion filed by Ripple and the SEC in the XRP lawsuit
- The motion requests lifting the injunction and releasing $125 million from escrow, with $50 million going to the SEC
- Morgan states that approval of this motion is necessary for any settlement between Ripple and the SEC
- If the motion is rejected, there would be no settlement and appeals would continue
- Legal experts express disappointment with the motion’s content but still expect approval
The ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the Securities and Exchange Commission has reached a critical juncture. Both parties filed a joint motion requesting Judge Analisa Torres to lift the injunction in their prolonged dispute.
The motion also seeks to release $125 million in civil penalties from escrow. Under the proposed settlement terms, $50 million would go to the SEC while the remainder returns to Ripple.
Lawyer Bill Morgan, who closely follows the XRP case, believes Judge Torres will approve the motion. Morgan expressed this view despite his own reservations about the motion’s strength and content.
“I just have a feeling she’s going to grant the motion anyway,” Morgan stated in a recent social media post. He noted that the motion does not become more impressive upon closer examination.
Just reading today’s Ripple and SEC joint motion to judge Torres over lunch. It does not become stronger and more impressive the more you read it. I just have a feeling she’s going to grant the motion anyway.🤷
— bill morgan (@Belisarius2020) June 13, 2025
The joint motion was filed on June 12 in Manhattan District Court. The request aims to resolve both the ongoing appeal and cross-appeal cases between the two parties.
Settlement Hinges on Motion Approval
Morgan emphasized the critical importance of the judge’s decision on this motion. He described the motion’s fate as pivotal to achieving a final settlement in the Ripple versus SEC case.
“Relief from the judgment is a necessary condition of settlement,” Morgan explained. Both parties cited legal precedents where exceptional circumstances justified modifying judgments to enable settlements.
The lawyer warned that rejection of the motion would prevent any settlement agreement. If Judge Torres denies the request, the appeal and cross-appeal processes would continue as planned.
Morgan previously predicted a development in the Ripple case before June 16. The filing of this joint motion appears to fulfill that prediction.
Legal Experts Voice Concerns
Other legal professionals have expressed disappointment with the motion’s approach. Lawyer Fred Rispoli criticized the filing’s content and strategy.
Rispoli recommended a more detailed motion explaining the SEC’s regulatory failures in cryptocurrency. He suggested including commissioner declarations and apologies from Ripple for its violations.
Instead, the motion contained only one paragraph about other SEC dismissals. It also included minimal mention of the SEC’s crypto task force activities.
“I don’t like this filing based on how obvious it was from Judge Torres’ last ruling that she was pissed,” Rispoli commented. He referenced the judge’s apparent frustration in her previous ruling.
Despite his criticism, Rispoli acknowledged that the parties cited sufficient legal precedent. He believes the court has adequate grounds to grant the motion if Judge Torres chooses to do so.
The final decision rests entirely with Judge Torres’ discretion. Legal experts await her ruling on whether to approve the joint request for settlement terms.
