A key development in the ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has led to further uncertainty for the cryptocurrency company. On May 8, 2025, Judge Analisa Torres of the Southern District of New York dismissed Ripple’s request to reduce a $125 million fine to $50 million and release blocked funds, citing procedural issues. This decision effectively halts any possibility of a settlement agreement between the two parties, while also maintaining the 2023 ruling that classified XRP as not a security for trading purposes. Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, assured stakeholders that legal rights remain intact despite the setback.