Recent political developments in the United States have reignited discussions about whether the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could pursue Ripple again in court. The renewed speculation began after House Democrats issued a sharply worded letter to SEC Chair Paul Atkins, criticizing the agency’s decision to drop several high-profile crypto-related enforcement cases — including the lawsuit against Ripple.
Lawmakers suggested that these cases were dismissed because certain crypto firms had allegedly provided political donations to influential figures. This accusation led some market participants to question whether the SEC might be pressured into reopening legal action against Ripple and other companies.
However, prominent crypto legal analyst and long-time XRP case commentator Bill Morgan has rejected this possibility. Morgan explained that U.S. law prevents the SEC from relitigating cases that have already been conclusively resolved. He referenced the legal doctrine known as res judicata, which bars the same parties from reopening a case on the same issues once a final court judgment has been delivered.
In short, Morgan emphasized that the Ripple case — along with others — is legally closed, regardless of political criticism or public debate.
The list of firms mentioned by House Financial Services Democrats includes major industry players such as Ripple, Kraken, Binance, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Crypto.com. Lawmakers claim these companies each contributed significant amounts in political funding, raising concerns over potential influence on regulatory decisions.
A Five-Year Legal Battle That Shaped Crypto Regulation
The SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple began in December 2020, when the regulator alleged that XRP was an unregistered security. The case became one of the most closely watched legal battles in crypto history.
Ripple contested the allegations and defended its position in court. In June 2023, Judge Analisa Torres delivered a landmark ruling that favored Ripple on key points, establishing an important precedent for the digital asset industry. While procedural matters continued into 2025, the dispute ultimately concluded, allowing Ripple to shift its focus back to business expansion and product development.
