As XRP continues to gain attention amid its recent price surge, Ripple's recent developments continue to draw attention to the asset and re-emerge the debate over its regulatory status.
On Wednesday, January 7th, Ripple senior executive Reese Merrick cleared up curiosity about XRP's regulatory status in the US, even at the SEC. This follows discussions that have resurfaced amid growing community concerns about the need for the next 'clarity law'.
Does XRP need a “Clarity Act” to succeed?
Merrick published the post in response to a community question about whether the upcoming “Clarity Act” is still needed for XRP to be fully successful.
According to Merrick, XRP has a definitive legal status, with its status as a non-secure digital asset already firmly established through a landmark court ruling in the United States, placing it on the strongest legal footing among cryptocurrencies.
Merrick’s statement directly addresses persistent speculation throughout the crypto community, where investors speculate that XRP is still dependent on new laws such as the Clarity Act that will continue to be enacted for regulatory clarity.
To confirm, XRP has secured clear regulatory status as a non-security digital asset in the United States thanks to a landmark court ruling, making it one of the few cryptocurrencies in the world with such a definitive status.
That said, the US still lacks comprehensive regulatory clarity… https://t.co/CThVoT4aq8
— Reece Merrick (@reece_merrick) January 7, 2026
Nevertheless, Merrick further emphasized that the United States still lacks comprehensive legal clarity for the broader crypto ecosystem, not just a single digital asset. He noted that this situation continues to limit innovation and growth for U.S.-based companies.
Ripple works to promote legal status of XRP
Merrick further explained in the statement that Ripple is actively working with policymakers to promote a clearer and more balanced regulatory framework for the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Additionally, Merrick expressed optimism that potential legislation such as the Clarity Act could ultimately provide consistent rules for the broader cryptocurrency industry, creating a level playing field for builders, investors, and institutions alike.
Ripple is working tirelessly to enhance the legal status of XRP and foster industry-wide growth, keeping the asset moving closer to mainstream appeal.
