XRP News Today: SEC vs. Ripple – Key Update Sparks Speculation; BTC Holds Above $100K

SEC vs. Ripple Case: Is the SEC Withdrawing Its Appeal?

Market focus returned to the ongoing SEC vs. Ripple case on Tuesday, January 28. XRP investor JackTheRipple shared a screenshot from the SEC’s website, stating:

“Ripple and the civil actions against it have been deleted from the SEC’s website!”

A search of the SEC’s Litigation Releases RSS Feed found no references to Ripple, fueling speculation about a potential withdrawal of the appeal. However, XRP’s price action was relatively muted, suggesting investors need a formal announcement.

XRP community member and an attorney, Shell Avocat, downplayed Ripple’s absence from the SEC’s website, stating,

“The SEC website does not matter. The appeal is still open in the Court’s nationwide PACER system. I am an attorney. I just logged in. The last entry is Ripple’s request for a time extension to file its Brief. The case status is still shown as “Active.” That may change soon.”

Avocat elaborated,

“The SEC website tracks District Court cases. The SEC v. Ripple case is technically over. PACER reflects that in the docket entries. But the Second Circuit appeal still shows “active.” That may change (I hope) today or tomorrow. But the case has not yet been settled or withdrawn.”

SEC Closed Meeting Looms

The increased speculation about the SEC’s appeal comes ahead of Thursday’s closed SEC meeting. US President Trump named Mark Ueyda as acting SEC Chair while Paul Atkins is undergoing confirmation. Chair Uyeda’s stance on SEC enforcement actions has raised hopes that the agency may drop its appeal against the Programmatic Sales of XRP ruling.

In November, Chair Uyeda stated:

“The Commission’s war on crypto must end, including crypto enforcement actions solely based on a failure to register with no allegation of fraud or harm. President Trump and the American electorate have sent a clear message. Starting in 2025, the SEC’s role is to carry out that mandate.”

Thursday’s closed meeting could be pivotal for XRP, Ripple, and the broader crypto market. A withdrawal would affirm a shift in the SEC’s approach toward digital assets and non-fraud-related enforcement actions.

XRP Price Trends:

On Tuesday, January 28, XRP edged 0.05% higher after Monday’s 1.14% gain, closing at $3.0585. Significantly, XRP outperformed the broader crypto market, which fell 1.56% to a total crypto market cap of $3.37 trillion.

XRP’s price trajectory hinges on the SEC’s appeal intentions. A withdrawal could drive XRP above its all-time high of $3.5505. Conversely, pursuing the appeal could push prices below $2.50.

Explore our expert analysis here on the SEC’s next move and its implications for XRP’s future.

Bitcoin Dips: Strategic BTC Reserve in Focus

Bitcoin (BTC), meanwhile, extended its losing streak to four sessions on Tuesday, its longest since October, before Trump’s election victory. US President Trump’s recent crypto executive orders (EO) tempered market expectations for an imminent US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR).

Notably, creating the Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets underscored the complexities of establishing crypto as a bona fide asset class for government holdings. The EO directs the working group to evaluate the potential for a strategic national digital assets stockpile.

The reference to stockpile rather than reserve asset suggested an evaluation of the US government’s existing crypto holdings. The US government has a $20.6 billion crypto stockpile, primarily in BTC ($20.14 billion), with no XRP holdings.

A strategic national digital assets stockpile could make the US government a crypto HODLER, mitigating oversupply risks. However, an SBR could significantly impact the supply-demand balance firmly in BTC’s favor.

The Bitcoin Act’s progress in Congress will be crucial. Senator Cynthia Lummis, Chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets, introduced the bill in late 2024. The bill proposes the US government accumulate one million BTC over five years, with a mandatory holding period of 20 years.

Congress, the Federal Reserve, the Treasury Department, and the President must approve a strategic reserve asset.

US BTC-Spot ETF Market: Demand Wanes as Focus Shifts to the Fed

While progress toward a US SBR remains uncertain, the Fed’s rate path is a dominant driver of BTC price trends. US BTC-spot ETF market flow trends suggest investor caution ahead of Wednesday’s interest rate decision and press conference on January 29.

According to Farside Investors, the US BTC-spot ETF market registered $457.6 million in total net outflows on Monday, January 27. On Tuesday, January 28, the BTC-spot ETF issuers (excluding BlackRock’s (BLK) iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)) saw net outflows of $11.7 million.

A hawkish Fed policy stance could raise borrowing costs, impacting demand for riskier assets, including BTC. Conversely, support for multiple rate cuts on a softer inflation outlook could trigger the next crypto breakout. In December, more hawkish-than-expected FOMC economic projections triggered a BTC pullback from its record high of $108,231.

Bitcoin Price Outlook

On Tuesday, January 28, BTC declined by 0.69%, following Monday’s 0.58% loss, closing at $101,363.

BTC’s price trends hinge on the Fed’s policy stance, Trump’s crypto executive orders, SBR developments, and ETF market flows.

• A dovish Fed could boost US BTC-spot ETF inflows, driving BTC beyond its record high of $108,231.
• A hawkish Fed, US BTC-spot ETF outflows, and slow progress toward an SBR could pull BTC toward $95k.

Market Outlook: Regulatory Clarity in Focus

Regulatory developments could dictate crypto market trends in the coming weeks. Ripple’s US expansion and Bitcoin’s strategic reserve potential could mark significant turning points. Market participants will closely monitor SEC rulings and Trump administration policies for further clarity.

Stay updated with our expert analysis of these developments and their implications for crypto markets. Read more here.