XRP News Today: Will The $125 Million Ripple Fine Be Paid in XRP To The US Government?

Ripple’s $125 million fine isn’t new, but there’s a change of events happening—some believe Ripple could pay it in XRP rather than cash. Legal experts point to past cases where fines were settled in alternative assets, making this a real possibility.

While this unfolds, StratoVM ($SVM) might get attention as a Layer 2 solution that could finally bring Bitcoin into DeFi. By anchoring data on the Bitcoin blockchain, StratoVM may offer faster transactions with lower fees—something BTC has long struggled with in the DeFi space.

Let’s check out the deets.

XRP News: Could Ripple’s $125 Million Fine Be Paid in XRP?

In August 2024, Ripple Labs was ordered to pay a $125 million penalty to the U.S. SEC after being found guilty of violating securities laws tied to XRP sales to institutional investors. While Ripple's legal battle continues, speculation is growing around how the company might settle the fine — with some suggesting XRP itself could be used as payment.

XRP community member Yassin Mobarak has raised the possibility that the U.S. government could accept XRP instead of cash. He points to the recently announced digital asset stockpile, designed to hold high-liquidity digital assets like XRP. If Ripple pays the fine this way, it could mark the first time the U.S. government officially holds XRP.

Mobarak believes this could align the government’s interests with those of XRP holders, potentially driving regulatory clarity and broader adoption.

Attorney Jeremy Hogan has backed this theory, referencing the 1869 Supreme Court case Willard v. Tayloe, which ruled that payments in commodities can be legally enforced if both parties agree. Hogan suggests this precedent could pave the way for Ripple and the SEC to agree on an XRP-based settlement.

StratoVM ($SVM): The Layer-2 Solution That Could Finally Bridge Bitcoin and DeFi in 2025

Bitcoin has long dominated the crypto world, yet it’s struggled to break into DeFi, AI integrations, and meme token ecosystems like Ethereum has. StratoVM ($SVM), an EVM-compatible Layer-2 solution, may change that by enabling smart contracts and decentralized apps on the Bitcoin network.

Excitement around StratoVM is building as it grew by 5,793% in a month, now hovering around $0.1604, according to CoinGecko. But beyond this growth, StratoVM’s real potential could be in expanding Bitcoin’s role in DeFi without compromising its well-known security.

The early signs seem promising. StratoVM’s testnet has already attracted over 113,000 wallets and sees around 56,000 daily transactions. With the mainnet launch on the horizon, StratoVM could provide a major boost to Bitcoin’s ecosystem.

For context, CoreDAO’s valuation is $990M, while StratoVM’s market cap is $19M—suggesting potential room for growth if adaptation continues to rise. Meanwhile, Bitcoin DeFi (BTCFi) has surged from $307M to $6.6B in the past year, according to DeFiLlama. If that momentum continues, StratoVM could play a major role in this expanding sector.

StratoVM surpassed 100,000 followers across X, Telegram, and Discord. With over 50 strategic partnerships and rumors of a CEX listing, StratoVM could become the key to unlocking Bitcoin’s DeFi potential.

The Bottom Line

Ripple’s $125 million fine has brought speculation about whether the company could pay in XRP, a move that might set a new precedent in digital asset settlements.

Meanwhile, StratoVM’s growth suggests it could become a major player in Bitcoin’s push into DeFi. With its mainnet launch approaching, StratoVM may unlock new possibilities for BTC holders looking to tap into decentralized finance.

This article does not offer financial advice. Cryptocurrencies can be unpredictable and carry risks. It is important to conduct thorough research before acquiring any crypto asset. Forward-looking statements carry risks and are not guaranteed to be updated.