XRP News Today: XRP's Price Surge Sparks YouTube Scam Surge, Ripple CEO Warns

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has issued a public warning about a surge in fraudulent activities targeting XRP on YouTube, a trend he directly linked to the cryptocurrency’s recent price rally. The alerts highlight a sharp increase in scams exploiting the platform’s reach to deceive investors during a period of heightened interest in XRP. Garlinghouse emphasized that these schemes often involve misleading content, such as fake investment opportunities and impersonation of legitimate figures within the XRP ecosystem, to capitalize on the token’s volatility and growing popularity [1].

The surge in scams coincides with XRP reaching an all-time high, as noted in a July 18 report. Garlinghouse stated that the rising price had attracted both genuine investors and malicious actors, creating an environment where misinformation could spread rapidly. “The combination of increased visibility and price momentum has unfortunately drawn bad actors,” he said, urging users to verify sources and exercise caution when engaging with XRP-related content online [2].

Fraudsters are exploiting the crypto tailwind by hacking YouTube accounts and updating pages to impersonate Ripple’s official account. One active scam, reported on Tuesday, promised a free XRP giveaway to lure victims. The fraudulent video, displayed as being sponsored by Ripple, used accounts with 176K subscribers to promote a fake 100M XRP event. Garlinghouse reiterated that Ripple or its executives would never solicit XRP transfers, advising users to remain vigilant against offers that seem too good to be true [3].

Losses to crypto scams hit a record $2.1 billion in the first half of 2025, surpassing the previous 2022 record of $2 billion and nearing the total 2024 losses. This trend underscores the broader risks faced by the crypto community, particularly as XRP’s price volatility attracts speculative activity. XRP surged to $3.66 on July 18, approaching its 2018 high of $3.84, before retreating to $3.19 in the last 24 hours. Analysts predict further upside, though market corrections remain possible [4].

Ripple’s concerns are not isolated. Other crypto firms have also reported impersonation tactics, including spoofing techniques like Punycode attacks that mimic legitimate domains. A security firm noted that Google search results for crypto companies sometimes prioritize scam ads, further complicating user navigation. These tactics highlight systemic vulnerabilities in online platforms, where bad actors exploit gaps in verification processes [5].

Garlinghouse’s warnings follow a 2021 lawsuit against YouTube, which Ripple dropped after reaching a resolution with the platform. The case involved similar impersonation schemes, including spear-phishing attacks where hacked accounts promoted fake giveaways. While the firm’s current approach focuses on public awareness, the CEO reiterated the importance of collaboration between platforms and regulators to strengthen safeguards. “We will keep reporting these—please do the same,” he urged [6].

The crypto industry’s response to rising scams remains critical as price surges create fertile ground for fraud. With XRP’s market performance and broader crypto trends drawing attention, the emphasis on due diligence and platform accountability is paramount. Garlinghouse’s intervention reflects Ripple’s ongoing efforts to address misinformation while advocating for a more secure 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; Pattern...](https://coinstats.app/news/498e989247f685cb77a9798e3b3b2bfe7d749213345db2245a5db9a032f2bed6_XRP-Pulls-Back-After-Technical-Surge-Pattern-Still-Points-to-6-Target)

[5] [Pro tip for DeFi users: Stop using Google search for crypto sites...](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)