The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple Labs have officially ended their nearly five-year legal battle by jointly dismissing all remaining appeals. The dispute, which began in December 2020, centered on allegations that Ripple sold unregistered securities through its XRP cryptocurrency. The resolution leaves intact a $125 million fine imposed on Ripple and a 2023 district court ruling by Judge Torres that XRP trades on public exchanges are not securities. Both parties will bear their own legal costs. The dismissal provides regulatory clarity for XRP and the broader cryptocurrency market, allowing Ripple to operate without the ongoing legal shadow. Following the settlement, Ripple also made a $200 million acquisition of Rail. The SEC has indicated it will now focus on developing a clearer crypto regulatory framework aimed at supporting innovation and investor protection. XRP's market value responded positively, with the cryptocurrency rising approximately 12% and nearing record highs after the lawsuit's conclusion.