Ripple XRP Lawsuit Spawns Controversy Around Summary Judgement Timing

Legal experts and the XRP community eagerly await the court’s decision on summary judgment in the Ripple lawsuit.

A girl is reaching for XRP tokens entering from a black hole.
Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from DailyCoin
  • The Ripple lawsuit‘s summary judgment decision has sparked a debate among legal experts.
  • Former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel has exposed a longer average duration for similar cases.
  • The LBRY lawsuit has emerged as a compelling point of comparison.

Legal experts and the XRP community have actively discussed the timing of the much-anticipated summary judgment in the ongoing Ripple lawsuit. It is worth noting that the briefings for summary judgment were concluded in December 2022, and since then, the XRP community has anxiously awaited a favorable ruling.

The debate was initiated by Mr. Huber, a vocal member of the XRP community, who shared a screenshot of online information regarding the duration courts typically take to review legal filings and decide on summary judgment requests. 

One claim suggested a timeline of one to three months, to which Mr. Huber responded with a dismissive remark, labeling it as “fake news.”

Former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel entered the discussion after seeing Mr. Huber’s tweet. Fagel agreed with Mr. Huber, stating that the one-to-three-month timeframe was incorrect and cautioned against relying solely on internet research for legal information. 

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To support his point, Fagel cited an examination of federal cases, revealing that summary judgment motions in a specific federal district court typically take an average of around six months. This observation becomes particularly relevant as Ripple has waited almost seven months.

John Deaton Highlights Intriguing LBRY Lawsuit Details

John Deaton, the founder of CryptoLaw, added his perspective to the Twitter conversation. Deaton highlighted the LBRY lawsuit’s timing, prompting Fagel to respond that it took approximately four and a half months, attributing the shorter duration to a less extensive record. 

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Neil Hartner, a senior staff software engineer at Ripple, recalled that initial assumptions about the LBRY case’s prolonged deliberation favoring the defendant were incorrect. Hartner suggested that the volume of material to review was the primary factor influencing the timing.

Deaton further emphasized the significant disparity in filings between the Ripple and LBRY cases, with the Ripple filings being ten times greater. He also highlighted notable differences in the lawsuits, such as the contested second factor of the Howey test, which examines the presence of a common enterprise. 

Additionally, the issue of consumptive intent, a non-investment aspect, is also being considered, rendering the first factor inconsequential. Deaton concluded by shedding light on the complexity of the Ripple case compared to LBRY.

On the Flipside

  • The length of time taken for summary judgment in the Ripple lawsuit is justified, considering the complexity and significance of the case.
  • It is important to remember that legal outcomes can vary greatly, and the length of deliberation does not necessarily indicate the case‘s direction.
  • While the volume of filings in the Ripple case is indeed substantial, it is essential to note that quantity alone does not determine the outcome of a legal dispute. The court will assess the merits of each filing individually.

Why This Matters

The timing of the summary judgment decision in the Ripple lawsuit holds immense importance for the Ripple community and XRP investors. The outcome will not only impact the legal standing of Ripple but also have wider implications for the crypto industry, particularly in relation to regulatory clarity and the definition of securities.

To learn more about Ripple’s international ambitions and its recent approval in Singapore, read here: 

What Does Ripple‘s Singapore Approval Mean for Its International Ambitions?

To stay updated on Ripple‘s CTO’s perspective on the legal battle against the SEC and the ongoing rollercoaster, read here: 

Ripple CTO Calls Coinbase’s Legal Battle Against SEC a “Rollercoaster”

FAQs

Who is John E Deaton?

John E. Deaton founded CryptoLaw, a legal advocacy group representing XRP holders in the Ripple lawsuit. He has advocated for XRP holders’ interests and provided legal insights related to the case.

Did LBRY win the lawsuit?

No, LBRY did not win the lawsuit. The SEC won its case against LBRY in November 2022. LBRY was charged with selling unregistered securities in March 2021. The SEC claimed that LBRY’s LBC tokens were sold as investment contracts and unregistered securities. However, it is important to note that the outcome of the LBRY lawsuit should not directly impact the chances of Ripple winning its own case. Although the claims against both companies may have similarities, the evidence and circumstances surrounding each case differ.

What crimes does the SEC investigate?

The SEC, or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, investigates various securities laws and regulations violations. Some common crimes the SEC investigates include insider trading, fraudulent activities, market manipulation, Ponzi schemes, accounting fraud, and other securities-related offenses.

What are the chances of XRP winning the lawsuit?

It is challenging to predict the outcome of any lawsuit with certainty. The case is still ongoing, and the outcome will depend on several factors, including the arguments presented by both parties, the interpretation of relevant laws and regulations, the court’s judgment, the judge’s interpretation of the Howey test, and the evidence presented by both sides. While there is speculation and analysis from legal experts and the XRP community, the final decision rests with the court, and until a judgment is made, the outcome remains uncertain.

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

Author
Kyle Calvert

Kyle Calvert is a cryptocurrency news reporter for DailyCoin, specializing in Ripple, stablecoins, as well as price and market analysis news. Before his current role, Kyle worked as a student researcher in the cryptocurrency industry, gaining an understanding of how digital currencies work, their potential uses, and their impact on the economy and society. He completed his Masters and Honors degrees in Blockchain Technology within Esports and Business and Event management within Esports at Staffordshire University.