XRP News Today: Ripple CEO Warns of XRP Scams on YouTube Amid Price Surge to $3.66

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has issued a public warning about a surge in fraudulent XRP-related scams on YouTube, linking the trend to the cryptocurrency’s recent price rally. The incidents involve impersonation tactics, including hacked accounts and counterfeit giveaways, designed to exploit heightened interest in XRP. Garlinghouse emphasized that Ripple will never solicit user funds and urged caution against suspicious offers, noting that scammers are capitalizing on the token’s volatility and growing visibility. The scams have escalated amid XRP’s price surge to near $3.66 on July 18, a level last seen in 2018, before retreating to $3.19 in the subsequent 24 hours.

A key component of the fraud involves YouTube channels with over 170,000 subscribers falsely promoting a "100 million XRP giveaway," mimicking Ripple’s branding to appear legitimate. The real Ripple YouTube channel has fewer than 82,000 followers, underscoring the sophistication of the impersonation. Ripple clarified that scammers are hijacking existing accounts and rebranding them to mimic authenticity, a strategy previously addressed in a 2020 lawsuit against YouTube that was resolved in 2021. Despite these efforts, Garlinghouse criticized platforms for inadequate measures to curb such schemes, highlighting a recurring vulnerability in social media verification processes.

The recent scams follow a deepfake video of Garlinghouse promoting a fake event, which Ripple’s CTO swiftly debunked. These incidents coincide with broader patterns observed in the crypto space, where price surges often attract malicious actors. Garlinghouse also referenced a 2021 lawsuit against YouTube involving similar impersonation tactics, including spear-phishing attacks through hacked accounts. While the case was settled, the CEO reiterated the need for platform accountability and collaboration with regulators to strengthen safeguards.

The surge in fraudulent activity aligns with broader crypto industry risks. Analysts noted that losses to crypto scams reached $2.1 billion in the first half of 2025, surpassing the 2022 record of $2 billion. XRP’s price volatility and speculative interest have created an environment where misinformation spreads rapidly, particularly through unverified online channels. Garlinghouse’s warnings reflect Ripple’s ongoing efforts to combat misinformation while advocating for a more secure digital ecosystem.

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...](https://coinstats.app/news/498e989247f685cb77a9798e3b3b2bfe7d749213345db2245a5db9a032f2bed6_XRP-Pulls-Back-After-Technical-Surge-Pattern-Still-Points-to-6-Target) [5] [Pro tip for DeFi users...](https://cointelegraph.com/news/ripple-warns-xrp-scams-youtube-impersonators-rise) [6] [Ripple Sounds Alarm on YouTube Scams After Crypto Price Spike](https://cointelegraph.com/news/ripple-warns-xrp-scams-youtube-impersonators-rise)