US SEC Classifies XRP as Non-Security in Landmark Guidance

The US SEC's recent interpretive release has provided long-sought clarity for XRP holders, explicitly classifying the digital asset as a non-security. This designation marks a significant shift from issuer-focused analysis to a function-based model, evaluating assets by how they function and what drives their value.

According to Dr. Elena Voss, Senior Crypto Markets Analyst, this framework is distinct from prior court rulings and formalizes agency policy, emphasizing context: market-driven XRP trades fall under CFTC commodity oversight, akin to Bitcoin or Ether.

The classification has had a modest impact on XRP's price, with the asset trading at around $1.44 as of March 22, 2026. Despite some volatility, the non-security tag is expected to prevent regulatory-fear selloffs and unlock institutional pipelines stalled by ambiguity.