Ripple warns XRP holders of a surge in YouTube impersonation scams as the token hits new highs and remains vigilant, Garlinghouse says.
XRP’s Surge is Your Red Flag: Beware of Scams
Every time XRP climbs to fresh highs, scammers pounce. It happened again recently when XRP surged near $3.66 the highest since 2018 and fraudsters took advantage. They hacked real YouTube accounts, rebranded them as “Ripple official,” and promoted fake “100 million XRP” giveaways.
Banks don't ring your doorbell promising cash. So why should crypto?
CEO Brad Garlinghouse Rallies the Community
Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, is on the front line. He reminded everyone on X that Ripple and its executives will never ask you to send XRP. The message is clear and urgent:
“Like clockwork, with success and market rallies, scammers ramp up their attacks on the crypto community. PLEASE BEWARE of the latest scam targeting the XRP family on YouTube… As always, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Garlinghouse disclosed that crypto scam losses hit a record $2.1 billion in the first half of 2025, surpassing 2022’s $2 billion peak, proof that the stakes just keep rising.
How the Fake YouTube Scams Unfold
Scammers are pulling off a familiar trick. They:
- Hack legitimate YouTube channels, some with hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
- Rebrand the channel with Ripple’s logo and claim to be the official account.
- Post phony XRP giveaway videos, asking viewers to send coins to unverified addresses.
A user on X, “XtinaRP,” spotted a particularly convincing scam hijacked from a 176K-subscriber channel supposedly hosting a “100 M XRP giveaway” and called it out as fraudulent.
Deepfake Video: A New Layer of Deception
It’s not just released accounts; scammers now use AI deepfakes. Earlier, a fraudulent video featuring synthesized audio from Garlinghouse offering a fake XRP airdrop circulated far and wide. Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, was quick to call it out:
“Obvious scam is obvious. Ripple will never ask you to send XRP.”
When victims play along, scammers promise double tokens in return only to disappear with the funds.
Ripple’s Lawsuit with YouTube: A History of Impersonation Wars
This isn’t Ripple's first battle with YouTube over impersonation. In April 2021, the company filed suit after scammers hijacked channels to run phishing schemes. Though Ripple dropped the lawsuit in March 2022 after reaching an agreement with YouTube, the recent attacks show the problem remains.
A Broader Web of Deceit: Google & Punycode Warnings
Ripple isn’t alone in facing impersonators. A security firm, Scam Sniffer, discovered scam ads topping Google search results for crypto firms. They used Punycode domain URLs that appear legitimate but redirect to fake sites designed to steal funds.
Their blunt advice?
“Stop using Google search for crypto sites unless you enjoy playing Russian roulette with your wallet!”
What You Should Do: Stay Safe, Stay Smart
- Never send XRP to accounts offering giveaways, especially those saying “send to receive more.”
- Verify the official Ripple YouTube channel, which has just over 81,000 subscribers. Always double-check URLs.
- Report anything suspicious on YouTube, X, or any team support channel.
- Trust your instincts. if a YouTube video promises XRP, you’re already in scam territory.
Why Scammers Strike When XRP Soars
The pattern is consistent: price rallies draw attention, and attention scales scams. As XRP approaches previous all-time highs, traders flock in, and scammers follow fast behind.
That’s why vigilance should scale with gains.
Final Takeaway
XRP’s resurgence is a positive signal, but it also lights a beacon for scammers. The spoils they chase aren't hidden; they’re right on your screen in the next click.
If you’re holding XRP or even just watching the market, stay sharp. Scammers are ramping up fast, but with knowledge and awareness, they won’t catch most of us.
Ripple says it, and markets prove it: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
