SEC’s Opening Brief in Ripple Case Expected: Jeremy Hogan

The legal saga of Ripple and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is at a decisive point since the latter has a deadline for filing an appeal on or before January 15. With the risk still on the table, many predict a settlement is likely in the offing — and that may bring an end to one of the most closely watched battles in crypto.

Jeremy Hogan, a veteran attorney who has closely followed the case, recently took to Twitter to address growing speculation surrounding the January 15 filing. The SEC is expected to meet the deadline for its appeal, yet Hogan cautions that this procedural move should not be seen as a game-changer. 

According to Hogan, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, whose term ends on January 20, may try a last-minute action to influence the case before he leaves office. However, Hogan remains skeptical that such efforts will lead to a lasting impact.

For Hogan, the legal machinations surrounding the appeal are a metaphor for a larger problem with the SEC’s position on crypto: “A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Hogan believes that even as the agency continues to file its legal motions, the real endgame of the case may already be in motion, regardless of the SEC’s latest filings.

Marc Fagel, a former SEC official, said that the SEC has no choice but to file an appeal. Fagel added that, although the SEC’s legal team has to do its job, a change in leadership could be a sign of a better regulatory environment for Ripple and the entire cryptocurrency market.

The atmosphere in Washington and the crypto community remains uncertain but cautiously optimistic as the legal clock ticks down. There is the growing influence of pro-crypto voices, especially in the Trump administration and Congress, that gives some hope to a more crypto-friendly regulatory framework that would shift the balance of power away from Gensler’s SEC.

Although the case is far from over, many observers believe that the end may be near. Whether through a court decision, settlement, or regulatory shift, it’s clear that the Ripple-SEC lawsuit is inching toward a conclusion that could reshape the future of crypto regulation in the U.S. The next few weeks will undoubtedly be crucial in determining the outcome of this high-stakes legal battle.