The SEC's landmark case against Ripple may have closed its courtroom doors permanently. Legal expert Bill Morgan emphasizes that res judicata—a fundamental legal principle preventing cases from being relitigated—creates an insurmountable barrier to reopening the case. Even as regulatory scrutiny around dropped crypto enforcement actions intensifies within the Securities and Exchange Commission, this particular battle appears legally sealed. What does this mean for the crypto industry? It signals that once major cases reach resolution through settlement or judgment, they're essentially locked in place. The implications extend beyond Ripple itself—it sets precedent for how concluded regulatory disputes can withstand future challenges and shifting political tides.