How the XRP Army Tilted the Scales in Ripple’s Fight with the SEC

XRP supporters known as the “XRP Army” were credited by both Ripple’s lawyers and the judge with helping tilt Ripple’s long legal battle against the SEC.

The long fight between Ripple (XRP-USD) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has finally ended, but it was not just lawyers and judges who shaped the outcome. The so-called “XRP Army” of retail holders is now being credited with playing a pivotal role in tilting the case in Ripple’s favor. Their unpaid research, relentless online pressure, and direct filings helped Ripple carve out a legal path that few expected at the start.

Judge Cites XRP Holders in Landmark Decision

When Judge Analisa Torres handed down her mixed ruling, she did not just cite Ripple’s lawyers. She specifically pointed to filings, affidavits, and arguments brought forward by XRP holders themselves. Crypto lawyer John Deaton, who represented the community through an amicus brief, said anyone denying their role “is either ignorant of the facts and truth or intentionally lying.”

By putting retail voices on record, the court recognized that XRP was more than a security traded by institutions. It was a widely used token, bought and held by ordinary people. This distinction gave weight to the ruling that XRP itself is not a security when sold on exchanges.

Ripple’s Legal Team Praises Unpaid Research

Inside Ripple, executives say the XRP Army’s grassroots efforts provided real value. Deborah McCrimmon, Ripple’s deputy general counsel, explained how the community dug through old SEC speeches and blockchain policy papers. “I could have paid lawyers thousands of dollars to do that, and yet they were finding it and posting it on Twitter,” she said.

Ripple leaned heavily on a “fair notice” defense, arguing that the SEC failed to make its rules clear. The work of XRP supporters helped back up that claim. It created a narrative that regulators had shifted their stance without warning.

Case Closure Brings Price Swings for XRP

The SEC first sued Ripple in 2020, accusing it of raising funds through unregistered securities sales. For four years, the case dragged through hearings, motions, and appeals. In 2023, Judge Torres issued a mixed decision that gave Ripple breathing room, and this August both sides finally dropped their appeals.

Through it all, XRP’s price became a loose cannon. It spiked 72% right after the 2023 ruling, shot to an all-time high of $3.65 in July 2025, and has since settled around $2.82. Traders now see it as a token proven in court, but still carrying volatility.

For years, critics dismissed the XRP Army as little more than a loud social media mob. Now, the outcome of Ripple’s case proves otherwise. Their research, pressure, and persistence shaped arguments that were cited at the highest levels. In a crypto market where retail investors often feel powerless, the XRP Army just showed how grassroots activism can echo in the halls of justice.

At the time of writing, XRP is sitting at $2.8238.