Ripple stands firm, opposes SEC’s latest legal demand

In the ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ripple has recently opposed the SEC’s motion to compel the production of specific post-complaint documents. This development marks a significant turn in the high-profile case, underscoring the complexity of regulatory compliance in the cryptocurrency sector.

Ripple’s opposition to SEC’s motion

Ripple’s response to the SEC’s motion, due on January 17 but extended by two days, was filed as per the new deadline. Ripple presents two primary arguments in the filing against the SEC’s request for post-complaint discovery. These arguments address the timing and relevance of the SEC’s demands in the context of the ongoing lawsuit.

The first argument by XRP challenges the timing of the SEC’s request. Ripple asserts that the SEC had ample opportunity to request these documents during the fact-discovery phase, which concluded on August 31, 2021. The company emphasizes that the SEC’s failure to request this information earlier demonstrates a lack of justification for seeking it now.

Furthermore, XRP points out that there had been prior litigation over the appropriateness of post-complaint discovery during the fact discovery phase, during which the SEC allegedly deemed such inquiries irrelevant. XRP argues that allowing the SEC to change its stance at this stage would be inappropriate.

Ripple’s second argument questions the relevance of the information sought by the SEC. The company contends that the post-complaint data requested by the SEC would not influence the court’s decision in the remedies phase of the lawsuit. In addition, XRP notes that the SEC has already utilized all its allotted interrogatories in the case, implying that the commission cannot unilaterally seek additional information beyond the agreed-upon limits.

Implications for the XRP-SEC legal battle

The opposition filed by Ripple is a critical step in the ongoing lawsuit between Ripple and the SEC. The SEC’s motion, which includes a demand for Ripple’s audited financial statements from 2022 to 2023 and details of XRP sales to institutional investors since December 2020, is part of the remedies litigation. This phase aims to determine the potential penalties Ripple may face for allegedly violating securities laws through its XRP sales.

Ripple’s resistance to the SEC’s motion underscores the case’s broader implications for the cryptocurrency industry. The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for how digital assets are regulated and treated under U.S. securities law. As such, both XRP and the SEC are rigorously presenting their arguments to influence the final decision.

The final decision rests with U.S. District Magistrate Sarah Netburn, who has yet to set an official date for her ruling. However, with the remedies-related discovery phase scheduled to conclude on February 12, 2024, the decision is expected shortly. The outcome will be a pivotal moment in the lawsuit and could significantly impact the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies in the United States.