Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has signaled that his company is nearing the conclusion of its prolonged legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This lawsuit, which has significantly impacted the cryptocurrency market, may soon be resolved.

Garlinghouse humorously referenced September 21 as a potential resolution date, marking it as "the end of summer." He emphasized, however, that the final decision rests with the judge. "The judge will make the decision when she makes the decision. My estimation is sometime before the end of the summer. Somebody asked me if it would be by the end of August. I pointed out that Sept. 21 is the end of summer, so I don't know," Garlinghouse explained.

The Ripple CEO highlighted XRP's unique regulatory clarity in the U.S., distinguishing it from other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH). "XRP in the US is one of the few things we can say definitively is not a security with ETH, I don't know how this is going to play out," he said. He criticized SEC Chair Gary Gensler for his "pretty hostile" stance towards crypto.

Despite these challenges, Ripple CTO David Schwartz noted that while the U.S. market is critical, regulatory hurdles are easier to navigate globally, where Ripple's business operations continue to thrive.

Ripple is currently negotiating with the SEC over the fines and penalties the company must pay. On May 14, Ripple filed a motion to seal certain documents related to the SEC's motion for judgment and remedies.

Garlinghouse's comments suggest that XRP holders should stay tuned for developments as the case edges towards a resolution. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of Ripple and the broader cryptocurrency market.