TLDR
Bill Morgan says XRP case dragging to 2026 is unlikely if motion approved.
Ripple and SEC’s new joint motion could end lawsuit within weeks.
Judge Torres’ ruling on the joint motion will determine XRP lawsuit timeline.
Legal experts say rejection of the motion would trigger appeals and prolong case.
Rumors have surfaced across social media claiming that the Ripple vs SEC lawsuit could extend until 2026 or beyond. These claims have created concern among XRP holders and the wider crypto community. However, legal experts closely following the case believe that such an outcome is unlikely.
Bill Morgan, a lawyer well known within the XRP community, responded to these rumors. He stated that the case would only continue for years if the judge rejects the most recent joint motion filed by Ripple and the SEC. But Morgan called that an “improbable outcome,” suggesting the case is more likely to be resolved much sooner.
Legal Expert Addresses Delay Rumors
Attorney Bill Morgan made his view public in a post on X, saying a 2026 delay is not expected. He emphasized that the lawsuit would only continue into the next year or beyond if Judge Analisa Torres rejects the current joint motion for an indicative ruling. According to him, this would only happen in a rare situation.
“The only way the matter drags out into 2026 is if the judge denies the joint motion,” Morgan said. He also noted that such a rejection would open the door for appeals from both parties. However, he added that Judge Torres would likely avoid this route.
Morgan expects the judge to adopt a common-sense approach and uphold the summary judgment already issued in favor of Ripple. He believes this would prevent a lengthy appeal process, which would delay the case.
Community Reactions and Ongoing Legal Steps
As rumors of a delay continue to circulate, other legal voices have joined the conversation. A legal analyst known as Bale suggested that the SEC v. Ripple decision could be delayed until late 2026. This post also sparked discussion online, with many XRP supporters pushing back against the idea.
Other experts, including James Farrell, have noted that a swift conclusion could still occur. He expected a resolution soon after the filing of the joint motion. Although the court initially rejected an earlier version of the joint filing, both sides have now submitted another version, showing their continued effort to settle.
Some members of the XRP community believe that the case is close to resolution. They point to ongoing cooperation between Ripple and the SEC as a sign that both sides want to avoid extended litigation.
Judge Torres’ Decision Holds Key to Timeline
Judge Analisa Torres will now decide on the latest joint motion submitted by Ripple and the SEC. The court’s response will likely determine whether the lawsuit can be resolved in the near term or if it moves into the appeals phase.
Bill Morgan stated that if the judge approves the motion, the case could be concluded in a matter of weeks. “If the judge grants the indicative ruling, the process can wrap up quickly,” Morgan explained in his post.
While Morgan acknowledged concerns with the motion, he believes it is still likely to be approved. This approval would remove the need for further appeals, bringing the nearly four-year-long case closer to its final stage.
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