You are 100% correct to say that the original FINRA decision against the corporate actions sought by former management still stands. Withdrawal of an appeal to the SEC doesn't alter that. Anyone with common sense, or even just a slight understanding of legal proceedings would understand this.
But, yes, there was some "agreement" between GS and the SEC, and I would venture to say FINRA too. These types of agreements are usually along the lines of if the appellant withdraws the appeal, then the other party agrees to x, y, z... etc. We don't know what that agreement includes since Georgie loves to be cryptic and loves to incite wild speculation among his followers, but I would venture to say FINRA is willing to accept a new application from new management since there have been material changes since 2019, and I would also venture to say that the RS is now off the table. So, perhaps it was the RS that was causing all the hoopla? No idea, but if there was no need to pursue the appeal, and an agreement was made to withdraw it, this would have to be in favour of the appellant, GVSI.
So, has the problem(s) which was the cause of the original adverse FINRA decision been corrected? If not, then why would any new corporate action submitted by GS result in a DIFFERENT decision by FINRA? Imo, it wouldn't! Well, UNLESS, perhaps, that "agreement" GS talked about has resulted in FINRA/SEC allowing $GVSI to by-pass whatever problem(s) that was the cause of that adverse FINRA decision. If so $GVSI may be good to go. If not, well...