Ripple CTO Warns of Fake Airdrop After XRP Hits All-Time High
A deepfake scam falsely claiming a 100 million XRP airdrop has emerged, exploiting XRP’s price surge. Ripple executives remind users to stay cautious and avoid scams.
A new deepfake scam is circulating on X (Twitter), falsely claiming that Ripple is launching a 100 million XRP rewards program.
The scam comes only hours after the XRP price hit an all-time high (ATH), drawing tailwinds from broader market optimism, growing investor interest, and increased new addresses.
Deepfake Scams Exploit XRP Price’s ATH Momentum
The AI-generated video features a digitally manipulated version of Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse. In the video, Garlinghouse thanks the XRP community for their support during Ripple’s multi-year legal battle with the US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), falsely announcing a celebratory airdrop.
“Four years ago, we entered a battle we didn’t choose. But we fought and won against the SEC… I’m launching Ripple rewards program. 100 million XRP airdrop pool created for you,” the manipulated video claims.
The scam spread online, riding the excitement after XRP price surged to a new ATH on Thursday, fueled by growing investor interest and increased new addresses.
Ripple (XRP) Price Performance. Source:
The bad actors also aim to capitalize on the conclusion of the Ripple versus SEC case, a move the network’s executives know all too well.
In hindsight, Ripple has dealt with a surge in social media scams following each major courtroom success.
In August 2024, scammers promoted fake XRP airdrops after Judge Analisa Torres ordered Ripple to pay only $125 million in penalties. This was far less than the SEC’s initial $2 billion request.
Similarly, after a 2023 ruling that XRP was not a security, deepfakes and phishing attacks targeting Ripple investors also increased.
“A lot of scammers are taking advantage of the recent good news to try to cheat and steal. There are no airdrops, giveaways, or special offers associated with this ruling,” David Schwartz warned at the time.
Schwartz took to social media to expose the latest scam, with the Ripple CTO posting a warning on X (Twitter).
Obvious scam is obvious.
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) July 18, 2025
Despite malicious actions from bad actors, analysts remain optimistic about the Ripple price rally. On-chain metrics suggest XRP still has potential for further upside. However, as euphoria swells, so too does fraudulent activity.
Against this backdrop, Ripple has consistently reminded users that the company and its executives will never initiate token giveaways, ask for personal details, or request fund transfers.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
You may also like
Aster announces a $10 million trading competition, combined with Stage 4 airdrop and Rocket Launch incentives, driving multi-layered growth in platform depth and liquidity.
After achieving strong performance in Stage 3, Stage 4 (Harvest) airdrop plan was launched, and the “Double Harvest” trading competition with a total reward of 10 million USD will be introduced on November 17.
Mars Morning News | Federal Reserve officials send strong hawkish signals again, December rate cut in doubt
The crypto market has generally declined, with bitcoin and ethereum prices falling and altcoins experiencing significant drops. Hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve have affected market sentiment, and multiple project tokens are about to be unlocked. Early ethereum investors have made substantial profits, and expectations for a continued gold bull market persist. Summary generated by Mars AI. The accuracy and completeness of this summary, generated by the Mars AI model, are still being iteratively improved.
IOTA collaborates on the ADAPT project: Building the future of digital trade in Africa together
IOTA is collaborating with the World Economic Forum and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change on the ADAPT project. ADAPT is a pan-African digital trade initiative led by the African Continental Free Trade Area. Through digital public infrastructure, ADAPT connects identity, data, and finance to enable trusted, efficient, and inclusive trade across Africa.
Trending news
MoreCrypto prices
More
