SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION V. RIPPLE LABS INC. CASE, AS THE GAME-CHANGER OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES’ HISTORY

This article provides detailed depiction of arguments and statements presented by both parties to the proceedings in Securities and Exchange Commission v. Ripple Labs Inc. case, with author’s opinions and remarks on the aforesaid. Because of its precedential character, the aforementioned case could play a crucial role in the future of all cryptocurrencies. Never before, had Securities and Exchange Commission made a complaint against company, which is behind one of the most popular cryptocurrencies of all time – XRP. Plaintiff claims, that from at least 2013 through the present, Defendants sold over 14.6 billion units of a digital asset security called “XRP,” in return for cash or other consideration worth over $1.38 billion U.S. Dollars to fund Ripple’s operations and enrich Larsen and Garlinghouse. Plaintiff underlines, that XRP is digital asset security, namely investment contract, and as such, it should follow the rules set out in Securities Act (1933). In the article, author tackles the problem of evaluating arguments presented by both parties, and tries to predict the consequences of possible rulings.