$125 million?. That's a joke for Ripple, like the coins that fall out of our pockets (although I never find any) when we sit on the couch. I hope that for Ripple pride is not stronger than reason and they pay the fine, I think it would be the smartest thing they could do considering that the amount is much lower than that previously demanded. If it all ends here, with the payment of that “small” amount, it could be said that Ripple has won with one of the best results it could have obtained.
I don't think either side is interested in dragging this out much longer, but there's also a chance (particularly the SEC) that they could appeal and start over.
I don't think that SEC will not comeback again after receiving the fine from Ripple. It is already on record that the law suit has been decided and closed. Ripple are free to go about their project developments,
In addition, it has actually slow down Ripple progress all this years, and i think with conclusion of the law suit, Xrp coin will now compete with other projects on the crypto market.