Coinbase asked the judge for permission to file an early appeal of its lawsuit with the SEC, given the SEC's recent appeal of the Ripple ruling. Coinbase wants to ensure that the Second Circuit has a full picture of the case by filing the appeal at the same time. The exchange wants to review the applicability of the "Howey test" in digital assets, the traditional standard for determining securities. Although the SEC had asked to dismiss Coinbase's appeal, the judge has yet to rule on it. Industry experts say the SEC's appeal in Ripple strengthens Coinbase's argument that it is a smart move.