The confirmation of Paul Atkins as SEC Chair suggests a potentially favourable environment for crypto regulation. The SEC and Ripple’s request to delay the appeal in their ongoing case indicates strategic pauses aligned with leadership changes. XRP and Bitcoin are seeing fluctuations influenced by recent tariff policy shifts, despite ongoing ETF outflows affecting their market balance.
On April 9, the US Senate confirmed Paul Atkins as SEC Chair, raising expectations for a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment. However, on April 10, the SEC and Ripple requested a suspension of the appeal in the SEC vs. Ripple case, delaying the need for Ripple to submit its response until April 16. This request suggests that Ripple is aligning its strategy with the potential transition of leadership at the SEC.
Speculations among pro-crypto attorneys indicate that the SEC may postpone any decision on appeal withdrawal until Paul Atkins officially starts his role. In light of recent discussions, James ‘MetaLawMan’ Murphy pointed out a similar situation in the SEC vs. Binance case. Fellow lawyer Bill Morgan noted that progress on the Ripple appeal could be stalled until three Commissioners vote to dismiss the case after Atkins’ appointment.
Eleanor Terrett, a journalist, informed that Atkins has yet to officially commence his duties as SEC Chair due to procedural requirements. These include presidential approval and swearing-in, expected to occur shortly. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated that agreement with SEC staff has been reached, but the Commission’s vote is still pending.
On April 14, XRP increased by 0.38%, recovering somewhat from a prior 1.88% loss, ending the day at $2.1267. This fluctuation aligns with the overall crypto market, which saw a 0.75% increase, raising the total crypto market capitalisation to $2.64 trillion. XRP’s momentum is attributed to the broader economic context, including recent US tariff modifications.
Simultaneously, Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a rise as investor sentiment reacted to President Trump’s tariff changes. BTC remains sensitive to US trade policies, closely following macro trends. Trump’s tariff policies have notably impacted BTC, contributing to a 20% decline since his inauguration in 2025.
BTC’s struggles have kept it below $100,000, resting far from its peak of $109,312. Significant BTC-spot ETF outflows indicate a struggling supply-demand balance, with April 14 alone showing a $35.2 million outflow, continuing an eight-day negative trend.
Despite these outflows, sentiment has improved recently. Analyst Santiment noted a rise in bullish discourse within the crypto community, correlating with recent tariff exemption announcements. This commentary suggests potential FOMO if BTC approaches $90,000, further influencing market dynamics.
On April 14, BTC rose by 1.01%, partially recovering from a previous 1.88% drop, finishing at $84,625. Notably, BTC last surpassed $90,000 on March 6, highlighting the ongoing impact of ETF flows on market sentiment. Investor sentiment will play a crucial role in future price movements, particularly in light of regulatory developments and market stability prospects.
