XRP News Today: Ripple Warns XRP Investors as AI-Deepfake YouTube Scams Surge

Ripple has issued urgent warnings to XRP investors following a surge in sophisticated scams on YouTube, where hijacked channels are rebranded to mimic the company’s official profile. Scammers have been compromising legitimate accounts and altering branding to replicate Ripple’s verified channel, “@Ripple,” to promote fraudulent schemes and distribute misleading content [1]. These operations often involve impersonating Ripple executives, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse and CTO David Schwartz, to solicit XRP from unsuspecting users [2]. The company reiterated that Ripple or its executives will never ask for digital assets to be sent to unknown addresses, urging investors to verify all communications through official channels [1].

The modus operandi of these scams typically involves hijacking existing YouTube accounts via compromised credentials and rebranding them to mirror Ripple’s official handle. Scammers create a false sense of legitimacy by mimicking verified branding and usernames, then push fake XRP giveaways, investment schemes, and other fraudulent initiatives [1]. The tactics have escalated in sophistication, with reports of AI-enhanced deepfake content blurring the line between authentic and malicious activity [2]. Garlinghouse explicitly warned of this trend on July 22, 2025, highlighting the surge in AI-generated scams impersonating Ripple’s leadership [2].

Ripple’s leadership has emphasized the importance of verifying information through official sources, such as the company’s verified X account and website. Both Garlinghouse and Schwartz have clarified that Ripple executives do not engage in promotional activities on platforms like Instagram or YouTube, and any such claims should be treated with skepticism [3]. The company has also advised users to avoid unverified accounts falsely claiming affiliation with Ripple or its executives [3].

The rise of AI-driven impersonation scams underscores broader risks in the cryptocurrency sector, where bad actors exploit technological advancements to deceive investors. Ripple’s proactive warnings align with industry efforts to combat misinformation, as platforms like Binance have reported similar concerns about fake XRP giveaway schemes [4]. The company previously sued YouTube in 2020 over inadequate responses to XRP scams involving Garlinghouse’s deepfake impersonation, though the case concluded with a settlement [1].

The surge in scams coincides with a significant rally in XRP’s price, driven by renewed regulatory clarity post-SEC litigation and anticipation of XRP ETF approvals. Institutional adoption of XRP for cross-border payments and a bullish broader crypto market have further fueled the token’s momentum [1]. However, the growing sophistication of scams highlights the need for heightened user vigilance, as victims may struggle to distinguish authentic content from fraudulent schemes [4].

Sources: [1] [Ripple Warns XRP Traders as Hijacked Youtube Channels Mimic Official Accounts](https://news.bitcoin.com/ripple-warns-xrp-traders-as-hijacked-youtube-channels-mimic-official-accounts/), [2] [Ripple CEO Warns XRP Holders as Deepfake Scams Surge on YouTube](https://www.ainvest.com/news/xrp-news-today-ripple-ceo-warns-xrp-holders-deepfake-scams-surge-youtube-2507/), [3] [Ripple CTO Warns XRP Holders. Here's Why](https://timestabloid.com/ripple-cto-warns-xrp-holders-heres-why/), [4] [Latest CryptoScamSurge News](https://www.binance.com/en/square/hashtag/CryptoScamSurge).