币界网报道：A U.S. judge has rejected Ripple Labs' request to ease restrictions on the sale of its XRP tokens to institutional investors, dealing a setback to the blockchain payments firm. The ruling comes as part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleging Ripple conducted an unregistered securities offering through XRP sales. Ripple had sought permission to sell XRP to institutional buyers under certain conditions, arguing this wouldn't constitute investment contracts. However, Judge Analisa Torres denied the motion, stating the proposed sales could still violate securities laws. The decision maintains restrictions imposed earlier this year when the court ruled some of Ripple's XRP sales qualified as unregistered securities offerings. Ripple's legal team expressed disappointment but noted they would continue defending their position in court. The case remains a closely watched precedent for how cryptocurrencies may be regulated under U.S. securities laws.