Levi Rietveld, a well-known crypto analyst and creator of Crypto Crusaders, focused this week on the ongoing regulatory challenges faced by XRP. Rietveld addressed the current debate over the CLARITY Act and emphasized that recent developments at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are now taking precedence over stalled legislative efforts.
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AAPLThe SEC steps up regulatory efforts
Rietveld stated that the SEC, alongside the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), already possesses the tools to regulate cryptocurrencies through their existing authority. He pointed out that these agencies can make and enforce rules governing the crypto sector without waiting for new legislation from Congress.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins publicly confirmed this approach, specifying that the agency is “ready, willing and able to come out with rules” with or without congressional action on the CLARITY Act. Commissioner Hester Peirce has similarly stated that the SEC intends to advance frameworks for custody, the trading of tokenized securities, and crypto fundraising regardless of the bill’s outcome.
Rietveld remarked that formal rulemaking and new guidance from regulators are set to advance within days, shifting attention away from the delayed Senate process and toward immediate regulatory measures.
XRP, trading close to $1, has seen increased scrutiny as the debate around the CLARITY Act’s passage intensifies. While Rietveld’s video commentary included warnings about a “collapse,” he also displayed optimism about the asset’s long-term regulatory clarity and its prospects as these changes unfold.
XRP’s legal foundation and future structure
Rietveld explained that the key development for XRP lies in the ongoing integration of the asset into a clearly regulated financial framework. He highlighted that legal clarity was already achieved to a significant extent through Ripple’s extended litigation with the SEC, which set several precedents for the industry.
Commissioner Peirce confirmed that the SEC’s agenda now features ongoing efforts to define rules for decentralized finance, custody, and the trading of tokenized securities. These areas directly relate to XRP’s core infrastructure, providing a foundation for broader institutional participation if legal certainty is solidified.
As regulatory momentum builds, a major shift is also taking place on Wall Street. Traditional markets, which previously relied on layers of brokers, are rapidly integrating Web3 technologies. Investors are turning to platforms such as 1stepSwap that allow users to hold shares of major U.S. companies, gold, and silver directly in their crypto wallets. By tokenizing real-world assets and automating price discovery, such solutions remove intermediaries and reduce transaction friction for institutional and retail participants alike.
Congressional efforts remain relevant
Despite the SEC’s active push for new crypto guidelines, congressional action remains significant. SEC Chair Atkins argued that statutory law offers stronger long-term stability than administrative rules, which agencies can amend or reverse.
A Senate vote on the CLARITY Act is scheduled for September 15. The bill requires at least 7 Democratic votes to pass the 60-vote threshold for cloture. Senator Bernie Moreno has stated that all 53 Republican senators support the measure, and several Democrats are expected to vote in favor.
Atkins believes a law would provide lasting certainty for crypto market participants, offering greater protection against potential policy reversals compared to regulatory guidance alone.
With regulatory agencies already developing comprehensive frameworks, institutional access to assets like XRP is expected to expand whatever the outcome of the Senate vote. These structural shifts mark a transition period, with both regulatory and legislative pathways shaping the market’s future.
