The long-running legal battle between Ripple and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is coming to a head. A final judgment is expected this week. Settlement rumors have been put to bed.

Judge Analisa Torres is set to rule on penalties and injunctions. The case has dragged on for nearly four years. It all started in December 2020. The SEC accused Ripple of flogging unregistered securities. Ripple hit back, claiming XRP is a digital currency like Bitcoin.

Torres already handed down a partial ruling. She classified XRP sales on exchanges as non-security. But institutional trades? Those were securities, she said.

Legal eagles James Murphy and Fred Rispoli reckon the final judgment will drop in early August. There's a small snag, though. Judge Sarah Netburn is still working on a motion.

Market watchers have poo-pooed settlement talk. Pro-XRP lawyer Bill Morgan says it wouldn't do either side any favors. "Settlement means compromise," he noted. "It's not a big win for Ripple."

Former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel agrees. He points out both parties would lose their right to appeal. The SEC might have to kiss goodbye to its $2 billion fine too.

One potential roadblock remains. Both sides could appeal previous rulings. But blockchain buff Mickle thinks that's unlikely. He reckons the SEC's case is weak sauce.

The judgment could have wider implications. Other crypto firms battling the SEC might use it as ammo.

Meanwhile, XRP's been on a tear. Traders have been taking profits left and right. The Network Realized Profit/Loss stats have been climbing since July 12.

At press time, XRP is trading at $0.6082. That's a 0.9% bump in 24 hours and a 27.8% jump over 30 days. Not too shabby for a token that's been stuck in the $0.5 range for ages.

A win for Ripple could send XRP to the moon. But if the SEC comes out on top? XRP might take a nosedive.