- Judge Torres denied Ripple-SEC settlement, triggering a sharp 5% XRP price drop.
- XRP fell below key support as legal uncertainty spooked investors and traders.
- Technicals suggest possible consolidation, but a break below $2.00 could deepen losses.
Ripple has hit a legal wall—and the market felt it hard. On Thursday, June 26, Ripple’s XRP dropped 5%, crashing below key support levels. Traders watched in disbelief as Ripple sank to the bottom of the top 10 list. While Bitcoin and Ethereum wobbled slightly, XRP dove like a stone in a still pond. A judge’s unexpected ruling turned calm into chaos, leaving Ripple investors rattled and the market bracing for what comes next.
Judge’s Ruling Leaves Ripple Cornered
The shock came from the U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres , who denied Ripple and the SEC’s joint request to amend their legal settlement. This wasn’t just a procedural denial—it shook confidence. The proposal would’ve split the original $75 million fine, sending $50 million to the SEC and $25 million back to Ripple. But the judge didn’t blink. She cited the SEC’s own words: Ripple might still break securities laws. Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, reacted quickly.
Ripple can either settle by dropping all appeals or challenge the ruling through the court system. Neither road leads to a quick fix. The hope for a neat settlement vanished like smoke in the wind. The bigger issue revolves around public trust. CNBC’s Eleanor Terrett stepped in to unpack the ruling. According to her analysis, Judge Torres made it clear—private deals can’t erase public rulings. The law must remain transparent. The existing judgment, she explained, still protects the public interest.
Market Signals Show No Clear Recovery
With both legal uncertainty and investor doubt rising, Ripple faces more than just a court battle. Confidence has taken a hit, and that ripple effect may grow wider in the days ahead. Ripple’s technical outlook doesn’t paint a cheerful picture either. XRP now trades between $2.03 and $2.20, sitting just above psychological support at $2.00. If the price dips under that mark, the next stop could be $1.95. That zone was previously held during selloffs, but conviction is slipping.
Bollinger Bands are tightening. The pattern suggests reduced volatility, often a sign of price consolidation. But consolidation without strong support can quickly turn into another leg downward. Parabolic SAR dots still hover above the candles—bearish momentum hasn’t fully eased. RSI sits at 43.82, signaling that XRP approaches oversold territory. This reading often precedes short-term price rebounds. Still, without buying volume or fresh catalysts, momentum may continue to stall.
Institutional holders appear cautious. Legal headlines often spook them faster than retail buyers. Many are trimming exposure. The court’s decision didn’t just bruise Ripple’s legal standing—it sent a wave of doubt through the crypto space. Ripple now stands at a critical crossroad. To recover, it needs clarity, confidence, and a push above $2.20. Until then, XRP remains vulnerable, trapped in uncertainty.
