Is Another Landmark Ripple vs SEC Saga Loading? — Here’s What This Prominent Attorney Has To Say ⋆ ZyCrypto

The cryptosphere has been abuzz with speculation regarding the possibility of another protracted case against Ripple, the company closely related to the XRP cryptocurrency. 

The talks emerged after three House Democrats blasted the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for retreating from its enforcement duties in the crypto sector and calling on Chairman Paul Atkins to explain why it dropped several high-profile crypto cases — including the lawsuit against Ripple.

US Lawmakers Slam SEC For Dropping Crypto Cases 

In a sharply scathing letter on Thursday to SEC Chair Paul Atkins, Representatives Maxine Waters, Sean Casten, and Brad Sherman said that the agency had “openly and boldly” dismissed at least a dozen crypto-related enforcement cases since early 2025, including actions against Binance, Coinbase, Ripple, and Kraken, all of which had seen initial court wins for the SEC.

The lawmakers argued that the SEC’s dismissals put investors and market integrity at risk and also highlighted notable crypto industry donations to U.S. President Donald Trump as well as financial links between crypto execs and the President that coincided with the agency’s reversal.

SEC Cannot Reopen Ripple Lawsuit Due To Legal Principle

The lawmakers’ letter has sparked concerns that the SEC could be forced to restart its courtroom brawl with Ripple. But popular crypto attorney Bill Morgan quashed fears of the securities watchdog reviving the lawsuit.

According to Morgan, the U.S. SEC is essentially banned by law from going after the said crypto companies again on the same issues owing to the principle of “Res Judicata.” This legal principle holds that a case cannot be refiled once it has been resolved by a court.

Morgan posited, “Too bad the SEC can’t go against those companies again on the same matters. Res Judicata, baby.”

This means the Ripple suit is legally closed and cannot be reopened, no matter how hard House Democrats press the SEC. 

Initially filed in December 2020, Ripple vs. SEC was arguably the most high-profile legal brawl in crypto history, with the regulator alleging that the blockchain company raised $1.3 billion via unregistered XRP securities sales. The case dragged on for years before officially coming to a close in August 2025.