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Crypto Daily: Ripple vs. SEC Saga Officially Ends, Trump Pushes for Crypto in 401(k)s

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Your Daily Crypto Briefing: Major Regulatory Shifts and Market Moves

Stay ahead of the curve with today’s essential crypto news. The landscape is shifting rapidly, with major developments in regulation, institutional adoption, and market dynamics. Today’s top stories include the definitive conclusion of the long-running Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit and a landmark executive order from the White House that could unlock crypto for American retirement funds.

The Final Gavel: Ripple and SEC Conclude Years-Long Legal Battle

One of the most closely watched legal battles in the crypto industry has officially come to an end. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple Labs have formally ceased all legal hostilities over the classification of XRP. On Thursday, a U.S. appeals court acknowledged a joint agreement to dismiss the SEC’s appeal and Ripple’s cross-appeal, putting a final seal on the matter.

This conclusion solidifies the pivotal July 2023 court ruling. The key takeaways from that decision, which are now final, are:

  • XRP sold on public exchanges is not considered a security.
  • XRP sold directly to institutional investors was deemed an unregistered security offering.

The SEC had initially appealed this mixed verdict but has now withdrawn its challenge. As part of the resolution, Ripple will pay a substantial fine of $125 million. For Ripple, XRP, and the broader crypto market, the end of this lawsuit removes a significant cloud of regulatory uncertainty that has lingered since the case was first filed in late 2020.

White House Signals Major Pro-Crypto Stance

In a series of significant moves, the Trump administration has signaled strong support for integrating digital assets into the mainstream U.S. financial system.

Trump Executive Order Aims to Bring Crypto to 401(k)s

President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order that could revolutionize how Americans save for retirement. The order directs the U.S. Department of Labor to re-evaluate its current restrictions on including alternative assets—specifically naming digital assets, private equity, and real estate—in defined-contribution retirement plans like 401(k)s.

A senior White House official confirmed the directive, stating it will instruct the labor secretary to provide clear guidance on the fiduciary processes for offering such investments. If implemented, this could grant millions of Americans access to cryptocurrencies through their retirement accounts, potentially funneling significant capital from the $12.5 trillion retirement market into crypto.

This move is a massive step toward legitimizing crypto and expanding retail exposure, an objective long sought by the industry.

New Federal Reserve Nominee Appointed

Furthering the administration’s new direction, President Trump announced his nomination of Stephen Miran, chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, to temporarily fill a vacant seat on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Miran will serve until January 31, 2026, pending Senate approval.

The appointment is crucial as the Fed’s board holds immense power over U.S. monetary policy, including setting interest rates that directly impact markets. This nomination follows reports that other crypto-friendly individuals were considered for the role, including Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor who has spoken positively about blockchain technology, and Kevin Hassett, who holds a significant stake in Coinbase.

A Glimpse at Today’s Crypto Market

While regulatory news dominated the headlines, the markets remained active. Here’s a quick snapshot of key events and trends from across the ecosystem:

  • Bitcoin (BTC): Spot ETF inflows turned positive again, signaling renewed institutional interest.
  • DeFi Rally: Tokens in the decentralized finance sector, led by Uniswap (UNI), experienced a notable rally.
  • Avalanche (AVAX): The Avalanche Foundation announced a buyback of 1.97 million AVAX tokens.
  • Ethena (ENA): The project announced that revenue will be distributed to sENA stakers, boosting its tokenomics.
  • SushiSwap (SUSHI): The decentralized exchange launched ‘Vesting Launch,’ a new feature for token launches.

What This Means for Crypto’s Future

Today was a landmark day for the cryptocurrency industry in the United States. The conclusion of the Here’s what happened in crypto today, particularly the Ripple vs. SEC case, provides much-needed clarity for digital assets. Simultaneously, the White House’s push to include crypto in retirement funds could be the catalyst for the next wave of mainstream adoption. As regulatory frameworks become clearer and institutional doors open wider, the path forward for crypto appears more integrated with traditional finance than ever before.

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