Emre Yumlu 
The long-running legal dispute between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken a new turn, as both parties have agreed to pause all ongoing appeal proceedings, signaling that a potential settlement might be on the horizon.
Legal Proceedings Temporarily Suspended
In a joint filing submitted on April 10, Ripple and the SEC asked the court to place the case in abeyance, effectively freezing any further legal actions. The decision was made to conserve judicial and party resources while both sides work toward a negotiated resolution.
This move comes weeks after Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse declared on March 19 that the XRP case was “essentially over.” The timing of this new filing has led to increased speculation that the SEC might be preparing to finalize a settlement once its newly confirmed chair, Paul Atkins, officially takes office.
April 16 Response Deadline Nullified
Ripple attorney James Filan announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the new filing voids Ripple’s previously scheduled April 16 deadline to respond to a brief the SEC submitted in January. “The parties are now awaiting commission-level approval. No further filings will be made on April 16,” Filan stated.
Signs Point to a Clean Slate Under New SEC Chair
Legal analysts have interpreted the SEC’s willingness to pause its appeal as a sign that the agency is ready to walk away from the case, potentially giving Atkins a strong starting point for his term. One user on social media noted: “The SEC might want to let Atkins begin his term with a clean win by dropping one of their most controversial cases.”
When Will Atkins Officially Take Over?
Although Paul Atkins was confirmed as the next SEC chair on April 9, the exact date of his swearing-in remains uncertain. Looking at previous examples—such as Gary Gensler, who was sworn in three days after Senate confirmation in 2021—Atkins could assume office as early as April 12.
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