
A deepfake video of Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse falsely promotes a fake 100M XRP airdrop.
Ripple CTO David Schwartz exposed the scam, warning itโs an AI-generated fraud.
Scammers are exploiting XRPโs price surge and legal wins to target investors.
As XRPโs price climbs and optimism builds around Rippleโs legal battle, scammers are back – this time with a deepfake twist. A fake AI-generated video of Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is being shared online, promoting a 100 million XRP airdrop that doesnโt exist.
Ripple CTO David Schwartz has stepped in, calling out the scam and urging the community to stay cautious.
With XRP now trading at $3.43, up nearly 6% in the past 24 hours, the excitement is real. But so is the threat.
Ripple CTO Calls Out Fake XRP Rewards Scam
Crypto scams are nothing new, but this one stands out for using AI. A deepfake video has surfaced, falsely showing Garlinghouse announcing a โRipple Rewards Programโ tied to their legal progress against the SEC.
In the video, the fake Garlinghouse says:
โFour years ago, we entered a battle we didnโt choose. But we fought and won against the SECโฆ Now, itโs our turn to say thank you. Iโm launching Ripple Rewards Program. 100 million XRP airdrop was created for you.โ
David Schwartz quickly responded on X, warning: โObvious scam is obvious.”
AI tools are making crypto scams harder to detect, and more dangerous than ever.
XRPโs Price Jump Creates a Perfect Setup for Scams
XRPโs recent rally has made it a hot topic. With its price jumping to $3.43 and sentiment rising ahead of a possible Ripple vs SEC settlement, the buzz is loud and scammers are using it to their advantage.
Crypto analyst Versan Aljarrah, co-founder of Black Swan Capitalist, says XRP could be gearing up for a bull run. Thatโs the kind of news fraudsters look for. They know investors are watching closely, and use fake airdrop promises to trick them into clicking on phishing links or connecting to shady wallets.
These scams often lead to major losses for unsuspecting victims.
A Pattern of Scams Tied to Rippleโs Legal Wins
Scammers have previously taken advantage of Rippleโs legal triumphs. In August 2024, Ripple achieved a significant win as Judge Analisa Torres imposed a $125 million fine, which is less than the SECโs $2 billion request. The victory paved the way for a surge of fake XRP airdrops and promotions.
Ripple issued a statement, cautioning, โWith Wednesdayโs historic victory, weโve seen an uptick in scams. Please beware of scam โRippleโ accounts, fake executive accounts, or others promoting โXRP Giveawaysโ or โXRP Airdrops.โโ
Similarly, after a ruling that XRP is not a security, scammers flooded the space with fake offers. David Schwartz noted, โThere are no airdrops, giveaways, or special offers associated with this ruling.โ
What XRP Investors Need to Know
As deepfake technology becomes more advanced, itโs harder to tell whatโs real and whatโs not. Thatโs why itโs more important than ever for the XRP community to be cautious.
If you see a giveaway or airdrop being promoted, donโt click anything unless itโs from Rippleโs official sources. Never send funds or personal info to unknown links. Ripple will never ask you to.
The price action might be exciting, but protecting your crypto should always come first.