Day: March 19, 2025

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Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced that the long-running Ripple SEC case has ended, marking a significant victory for the San Francisco-based blockchain infrastructure company. This development reflects the shifting regulatory environment under President Donald Trump, whose administration has been quick to ease enforcement actions against crypto companies.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had pursued Ripple since 2020, claiming that its sale of XRP constituted an unregistered securities offering. However, Garlinghouse confirmed in a Bloomberg Television interview on Wednesday that the case is now over.

Ripple’s Legal Battle with the SEC

The Ripple SEC case began in December 2020 when the SEC alleged that Ripple raised funds illegally by selling XRP without proper registration. For over four years, Ripple fought the lawsuit, spending more than $150 million in legal expenses to defend itself.

In a pivotal 2023 ruling, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres determined that XRP only fell under securities law when sold to institutional investors. Although the SEC appealed that decision, it has now chosen to drop the case as part of a broader wave of regulatory changes.

XRP Price Surges Following the News

Following the announcement that the Ripple SEC case had concluded, the price of XRP surged by as much as 15%, reaching $2.59 on Wednesday. XRP, which remains the third-largest cryptocurrency by market value after Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), has skyrocketed by nearly 400% since Trump’s election victory in November.

Analysts suggest that the termination of the case provides regulatory clarity for XRP, potentially encouraging further institutional adoption and paving the way for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to the token.

Ripple Considers Next Legal Steps

Despite the favorable outcome, Ripple still faces a lingering decision regarding a $125 million fine that remains in escrow. Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty stated that the company is “taking it under advisement” as they weigh whether to continue appealing aspects of the case or pay the fine.

This decision could have implications for Ripple’s future operations and its potential plans to expand its blockchain infrastructure offerings.

Ripple Eyes Acquisitions, Not IPOs

With the Ripple SEC case behind it, Ripple is now turning its focus toward acquisitions. Garlinghouse confirmed that filing for an initial public offering (IPO) is not a top priority at this time. Instead, Ripple plans to explore acquiring other blockchain infrastructure companies to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving crypto space.

“We’ll look at other things that are blockchain infrastructure companies,” Garlinghouse said, emphasizing Ripple’s commitment to growth through strategic acquisitions.

SEC Eases Crypto Crackdown Under Trump

The end of the Ripple SEC case is part of a broader trend where the SEC, under Trump’s administration, has paused or dismissed several high-profile legal actions against crypto companies. Notable cases include lawsuits against Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) and Binance Holdings Ltd., along with threats of legal action against Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:HOOD) and other decentralized platforms like Uniswap Labs and OpenSea.

Trump’s pro-crypto stance has ushered in a friendlier regulatory climate, providing relief to the digital asset industry that had been under intense scrutiny during President Joe Biden’s administration.

Ripple’s Political Influence in Crypto

Ripple has also played a notable political role during this shift. The company was a major donor during the last congressional election cycle and contributed $5 million worth of XRP to Trump’s inauguration festivities. Ripple executives, including Garlinghouse and Alderoty, have been photographed with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, underscoring the company’s close ties to the new administration.

Trump’s pro-crypto rhetoric and actions have won him praise from members of the digital asset community, with Ripple positioned as one of the key beneficiaries of this policy shift.

What’s Next for Ripple and XRP?

With the Ripple SEC case concluded, Ripple is well-positioned to pursue its growth agenda, focusing on acquisitions and expanding its influence in blockchain infrastructure. The regulatory clarity provided by the SEC’s decision could also accelerate institutional interest in XRP, paving the way for potential XRP-focused ETFs that may follow the success of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

As Ripple navigates its next steps, the conclusion of this landmark case signals a new era for crypto regulation in the United States, one where innovation may thrive under a more accommodating regulatory framework.

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Volatility Shares LLC is gearing up to introduce the first-ever Solana ETFs in the United States. These funds, set to launch on Thursday, mark a significant step toward expanding structured exposure to digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. The two offerings, the Volatility Shares Solana ETF (SOLZ) and the Volatility Shares 2X Solana ETF (SOLT), received approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this month.

What Are Solana ETFs?

Solana ETFs provide investors with an opportunity to engage in the cryptocurrency market through regulated, futures-based instruments. SOLZ tracks Solana futures to offer standard exposure, while SOLT delivers leveraged exposure, doubling potential gains and losses. Unlike spot ETFs, which hold the underlying cryptocurrency, futures-based ETFs track price movements through contracts.

This approach allows investors to gain exposure to Solana (SOL) without directly managing digital assets, offering a more structured and potentially lower-risk method of participating in the crypto market.

Market Impact: Solana’s Price Remains Stable

Despite the significant news of the Solana ETF launch, Solana’s market price has shown little immediate reaction. SOL traded at approximately $131.68, reflecting a modest 6.3% increase over the past 24 hours. Currently, Solana holds a market value of about $67 billion, positioning it as one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

Market analysts suggest that the muted price response indicates that much of the ETF-related optimism had already been priced in. However, the introduction of these ETFs may still catalyze long-term interest from institutional investors seeking regulated exposure to Solana’s high-speed, low-fee blockchain technology.

Solana ETFs Follow Bitcoin Futures Success

The launch of Solana ETFs mirrors the success of Bitcoin futures ETFs, which attracted substantial investor demand in 2023 and 2024. These instruments provide a regulated alternative for investors who prefer to avoid the complexities and security risks of managing cryptocurrency wallets.

The introduction of Solana ETFs reflects a growing trend in the crypto market, where futures-based products provide indirect exposure while mitigating certain risks associated with direct asset ownership. This approach also appeals to traditional investors seeking to diversify their portfolios beyond Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

Filing and Approval Timeline

Volatility Shares initially filed for the Solana ETFs in December 2024, paving the way for regulatory approval earlier this month. The two ETFs come with distinct cost structures:

SOLZ: 0.95% expense ratio

SOLT: 1.85% expense ratio

These fees cover the management and operational costs associated with maintaining the futures contracts that back the ETFs.

“Our launch comes at a time of renewed optimism for cryptocurrency innovation in the U.S.,” said Justin Young, CEO of Volatility Shares, in an interview with Bloomberg.

Why Solana ETFs Matter for Investors

Solana’s blockchain has gained traction for its ability to process transactions at lightning speed and with minimal fees. As one of the most prominent Ethereum competitors, Solana appeals to developers and decentralized application (dApp) creators seeking scalable solutions.

With the introduction of Solana ETFs, U.S. investors now have an additional avenue to access this technology without the complexities of direct crypto ownership. These ETFs offer regulated, futures-based exposure, providing a balance between potential returns and risk management.

Conclusion: A New Era for Solana Investors

The launch of the first Solana ETFs in the U.S. marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital asset investment. Volatility Shares’ introduction of SOLZ and SOLT offers investors a new way to gain exposure to Solana while benefiting from the security and oversight of regulated futures contracts.

As the crypto market continues to mature, these innovative products could prompt a broader shift in how investors approach cryptocurrency exposure, paving the way for increased institutional participation in the future.

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SINGAPORE, March 19, 2025 /CNW/ — AB DAO has officially announced a strategic partnership with Alpha Technology Group Limited (Nasdaq: ATGL). The two companies will integrate their respective strengths to drive the innovative application and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology across supply chain management, enterprise operations, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Alpha Technology Group Limited (ATGL), listed on the Nasdaq in 2023, specializes in AI technology development. Its AI-powered enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems provide intelligent automation solutions, significantly enhancing corporate management efficiency.

AB DAO, a leading AI-driven blockchain infrastructure provider, has designed the AB IoT network specifically to integrate blockchain and IoT technologies. It has already developed mature prototype products, including blockchain-powered smart energy meters, self-service payment kiosks, access control systems, and secure storage solutions, demonstrating strong market potential across various industries.

With complementary strengths in both technology and market positioning, this partnership will focus on advancing AI and blockchain integration in logistics, supply chain, and enterprise management. By delivering more efficient and secure industry solutions, AB DAO and ATGL aim to accelerate innovation and achieve mutual success.

(Alpha Technology Group Limited Official Website: www.atgl.io)

AB DAO Ecosystem Continues to Expand
With the Hotcoin listing, users can now trade $AB on the following exchanges:
Bitget (bitget.com) 
HTX (htx.com)
MEXC (mexc.com)
BingX (bingx.com)
BitMart (bitmart.com)
Lbank (lbank.com)
Hotcoin (hotcoin.com)
UEEx(ueex.com)
4E (eeee.com)
Coming Soon
Biconomy (biconomy.com)
AB will continue listing on more exchanges, expanding its ecosystem use cases and accelerating worldwide adoption.

AB DAO’s Goal: 100 Million $AB Holders
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