XRP News Today: Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Warns of Deepfake XRP Scams Amid Price Rally

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has issued urgent warnings to XRP investors about a surge in deepfake scams exploiting the cryptocurrency’s recent price rally. Fraudulent actors are using AI-generated content, including videos and fake YouTube accounts, to impersonate Ripple executives and promote scams offering large XRP giveaways. These schemes have intensified as XRP approached its 2018 peak of $3.84, reaching $3.66 on July 18 before retreating to $3.19. Garlinghouse emphasized that Ripple and its leadership never solicit XRP transfers or announce giveaways, urging investors to verify all offers through official channels [1].

The scams typically involve stolen social media accounts updated to mimic Ripple’s official profiles, with scammers distributing misleading content such as fake investment opportunities. One notable case on July 22 used a YouTube account with 176,000 subscribers to promote a fraudulent 100 million XRP giveaway [3]. Garlinghouse and Ripple CTO David Schwartz have labeled the tactics “obvious” but deceptive, stressing the need for vigilance. Ripple’s anti-fraud team is actively removing misleading content and reinforcing investor education through alerts and public statements [2].

The rise in scams aligns with XRP’s growing visibility, which has attracted both legitimate investors and malicious actors. Ripple previously sued YouTube in 2021 for failing to curb impersonation schemes, but the use of advanced AI deepfakes has enabled fraudsters to evolve their methods [3]. Analysts note that losses to crypto scams reached $2.1 billion in the first half of 2025, surpassing 2022’s record of $2 billion [4]. While some experts forecast further price gains for XRP, market corrections remain a risk [4].

The broader crypto industry faces similar challenges, including Punycode attacks that mimic legitimate domains and fraudulent ads appearing in Google search results for crypto companies. Garlinghouse highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in online platforms, where weak verification processes enable bad actors to exploit gaps. Ripple’s strategy now focuses on public awareness campaigns and collaboration with platforms and regulators to strengthen safeguards. The CEO reiterated the importance of user diligence, stating, “We will keep reporting these—please do the same” [6].

Financially, the scams have primarily targeted individual investors, with institutions reportedly unaffected. Ripple advises users to scrutinize suspicious offers and avoid sharing private keys or transferring funds based on unverified claims. The case underscores the need for enhanced security measures in the crypto ecosystem, as evolving technology complicates fraud prevention. Ripple’s proactive approach reflects its ongoing efforts to address misinformation and advocate for a more secure digital financial landscape [3].

Sources:

[1] [Ripple CEO Sounds the Alarm Over YouTube XRP Scam](https://u.today/ripple-ceo-sounds-the-alarm-over-youtube-xrp-scam)

[2] [Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Raises Alarm Over Rising...](https://cryptonews.net/news/security/31308160/)

[3] [Ripple Sounds Alarm on YouTube Scams After Crypto Price Spike](https://cointelegraph.com/news/ripple-warns-xrp-scams-youtube-impersonators-rise)

[4] [XRP Pulls Back After Technical Surge; Pattern...](https://coinstats.app/news/498e989247f685cb77a9798e3b3b2bfe7d749213345db2245a5db9a032f2bed6_XRP-Pulls-Back-After-Technical-Surge-Pattern-Still-Points-to-6-Target)

[6] [Ripple Sounds Alarm on YouTube Scams After Crypto Price Spike](https://cointelegraph.com/news/ripple-warns-xrp-scams-youtube-impersonators-rise)