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US Judge Denies Ripple–SEC Joint Bid to Slash $125M Penalty
By Cointelegraph | June 2025
A U.S. federal judge has rejected a joint motion from Ripple and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to reduce a $125 million penalty and vacate prior rulings that classified Ripple’s institutional XRP sales as unregistered securities.
The decision was handed down by Judge Analisa Torres of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, who reaffirmed that Ripple must adhere to federal securities laws, regardless of evolving SEC policy.
Key Developments:
▪️ Judge Torres denied the request to reduce the $125M civil penalty or reverse the ruling that Ripple’s XRP sales to institutions violated Section 5 of the Securities Act.
▪️ The court emphasized that the appropriate venue for altering a final order is through appeal—not by informal agreement between parties.
▪️ Judge Torres wrote:
“Ripple’s willingness to push the boundaries of the Order evinces a likelihood that it will eventually, if it has not already, cross the line.”
Background:
Ripple and the SEC jointly filed a motion seeking an indicative ruling, asking the lower court to reconsider its final order in light of the SEC’s softened stance on crypto enforcement.
However, Judge Torres rejected this procedural move, stating that nothing has materially changed since her earlier ruling to justify a reduced penalty or reversed injunction.
“They now claim it is in the public interest to cut the Civil Penalty by sixty percent… The Court disagrees,” she added.
Ripple’s Response and the SEC’s Retreat:
While Ripple did not immediately comment, the ruling comes after Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse previously declared the SEC’s dropped appeal as a “resounding victory” for the company and the broader crypto industry.
In March, the parties agreed to settle the monetary aspect of the case, proposing a 60% reduction in penalties:
▪️ $50 million to the SEC
▪️ $75 million to be returned to Ripple
▪️ Funds currently held in escrow pending court approval
Why It Matters:
This case has become a cornerstone legal battle for the crypto industry, with Ripple’s partial victories hailed as precedent-setting. Yet, Judge Torres’ refusal to revise the penalty underscores that regulatory enforcement remains grounded in statutory law—not political shifts or private settlements.
Ripple’s legal journey may be winding down, but the court has made it clear: accountability under federal securities laws stands firm.
@ Newshounds News™
Source: Cointelegraph
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Confirmed: ISO® 20022 Message Format Goes Live for Fedwire® on July 14, 2025
By FRB Services | June 2025
After years of preparation in collaboration with the financial industry, the Federal Reserve Financial Services (FRFS) has officially confirmed the implementation of the ISO® 20022 message format for the Fedwire® Funds Service on July 14, 2025.
Fedwire Funds Service Moves Forward With ISO 20022
FRFS has announced that the long-planned migration to ISO 20022 will proceed on schedule. The Fedwire Funds Service software and production infrastructure will remain unchanged, ensuring a seamless transition for institutions already onboarded for compliance.
The message format shift marks a major step toward modernizing U.S. payment systems and aligning with global standards in high-value funds transfer.
“We are confirming that FRFS will move forward with implementing the new ISO 20022 message format on July 14 as planned.”
Testing Continues Through July 11
FRFS urges all participating institutions and service vendors to continue internal testing and validation efforts through July 11, just prior to go-live.
Questions or concerns should be directed to:
- 📧 Fedwire.Funds.Format@ny.frb.org
- 📞 Your FRFS relationship manager or the Support Center
“We appreciate the work, time, and resources you have put into preparing for the new ISO 20022 standard.”
A Key Milestone in U.S. Payment Infrastructure Modernization
The ISO 20022 rollout for Fedwire Funds is part of a broader global migration to richer, structured, and standardized messaging formats, enabling enhanced data handling, interoperability, and automation across banking systems.
This move places the U.S. in line with international payment modernization efforts, joining regions such as Europe and Asia that have already embraced ISO 20022 in real-time gross settlement systems.
@ Newshounds News™
Source: Federal Reserve Financial Services
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Senate Banking Chair Targets September Deadline for Crypto Market Structure Bill
By Cointelegraph | June 2025
Following the successful Senate passage of the GENIUS stablecoin bill, U.S. lawmakers are setting their sights on broader digital asset market structure legislation—with a new timeline in view.
Sen. Tim Scott Aims for Sept. 30 Deadline
U.S. Senator Tim Scott, Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, announced Thursday that the chamber is working toward passing a digital asset market structure bill by September 30.
“For the market to function completely,” said Scott, “Congress needs to move forward with legislation for both market structure and stablecoins.”
The remarks came during a fireside chat with Senator Cynthia Lummis and White House crypto adviser Bo Hines, as part of a broader effort to advance regulatory clarity in the rapidly evolving digital asset sector.
Lummis offered strong support for Scott’s timeline, stating:
“You’re the chairman, and we will do as you wish. We will make sure that we’re ready to do that.”
GENIUS Act and Market Structure Bills on Parallel Tracks
The push for market structure legislation follows momentum from the GENIUS Act—the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act—which recently passed the Senate and awaits consideration in the House of Representatives.
▪️ Sen. Lummis warned she would be “extremely disappointed” if both bills aren’t passed before 2026.
▪️ No floor votes have been scheduled yet in either chamber for market structure legislation.
At the Bitcoin Policy Summit earlier this week, Lummis reiterated the importance of getting both pieces of legislation passed to maintain the U.S.’s competitive edge in digital finance.
White House May Push for Accelerated Timelines
Former President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election, weighed in on the GENIUS Act on June 18, urging the House to “get it to [his] desk, ASAP.”
However, his August target for crypto legislation may conflict with the Senate’s September goal for market structure—raising questions about how the timeline may shift in coming weeks.
Senate Eyes CLARITY Act as a Framework
Lummis added that the Senate may model its legislation on the House’s proposed bill, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act), which passed out of committee in June.
▪️ The Senate version is expected to be drafted before the August recess, with markup scheduled for September.
▪️ The goal: to define which digital assets fall under SEC or CFTC oversight, and to establish regulatory clarity for crypto companies operating in the U.S.
“We’re not just talking about modernization,” one staffer familiar with the bill remarked. “We’re talking about creating a framework that gives innovators, regulators, and investors clear rules of the road.”
Why It Matters:
As regulatory conversations escalate in Washington, a bipartisan, bicameral push toward crypto market structure reform could reshape the digital asset landscape. With the GENIUS Act already gaining traction, attention is now fixed on how soon—and how clearly—Congress can define the future of U.S. crypto regulation.
@ Newshounds News™
Source: Cointelegraph
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