- Scammers hijack networks and fabricate urgent alerts, pressuring victims to share sensitive account details unknowingly.
- Implementing 2FA, avoiding suspicious links, and verifying security alerts directly prevents unauthorized account access.
As cryptocurrency adoption expands, so does the presence of increasingly sophisticated scams targeting users.
Investors must remain vigilant, as fraudsters continuously refine their techniques to exploit fear and urgency. Recently, John Deaton, a crypto attorney and XRP advocate, shared a personal experience to highlight how easily users can fall victim to these tactics.
⛔️ A CRYPTO WARNING ⛔️
As crypto prices rise and new people enter the space, so do scammers.
Some scamming operations are quite sophisticated, whether related to your private wallet or an exchange account.
If you get an email with a link do not click the link unless you are… https://t.co/1OVTRcWFdS
— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) January 3, 2025
Exploiting Fear to Gain Access
Scammers rely on psychological manipulation, creating a false sense of urgency to push users into making impulsive decisions. Deaton’s account reveals how cybercriminals hijacked his WiFi network, fabricated a security alert, and impersonated Uphold Support to steal login credentials. This elaborate scheme demonstrates how fraudsters blend technology and deception to gain access to sensitive information.
“…What I didn’t realize yet, was that the hackers had hijacked my WiFi and was online with me, sharing my screen, waiting for me to enter my password so they could lock me out and steal my crypto…”
Key Lessons to Protect Your Crypto
Deaton’s experience underscores critical security measures that every crypto user should implement:
- Never click links in unsolicited emails, even if they appear legitimate. Always verify directly through official websites.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on all accounts to add an extra layer of security.
- Never share passwords or seed phrases, even with supposed support representatives.
- Use a separate network or cellular data for logging into crypto-related accounts when suspicious activity arises.
I REPEAT!!!!!! 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
DO NOT fall for a threatening email.
The scammer here is trying to get the seed/recovery phrases from the public.
These words (12/24) activate your wallets on the blockchain.
They are for YOU and YOU only!
The scammers activates YOUR wallets in… pic.twitter.com/HjU2okP0Wf
— James Rule XRP 👊😎 (@RuleXRP) January 3, 2025
The Need for Increased Awareness
As scam operations become more sophisticated, education and proactive security measures are essential. Cybercriminals exploit moments of panic, making even experienced users susceptible to deception.
If you receive a threatening email, OPEN your app to validate "no issues" (Ledger Live, Ellipal, Coinbase, Amazon, Bank etc)
Companies will NEVER contact you for private information.
— James Rule XRP 👊😎 (@RuleXRP) January 3, 2025
Because I had accessed my law firm network, working from home, my business network had been compromised as well. A couple months later my cell phone SIM card and Twitter accounts were hacked. Btw, the fraud unit at Uphold was awesome to deal with. Be careful.
Raising awareness and adopting strict security habits can help prevent financial losses and protect crypto assets.
XRP (Ripple) Price Analysis
[mcrypto id=”12299″]
As of today, XRP is trading at $2.46355, reflecting a 2.63% increase over the last 24 hours. The token has gained 2.66% in the past day and 14.44% over the past week. However, it has seen a 1.97% decline over the past month.
Despite this short-term volatility, XRP has experienced a remarkable 448.76% increase over the last six months, and a 323.09% gain over the past year. This strong performance has positioned XRP as one of the top three cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Market Capitalization and Trading Volume
XRP currently holds a market capitalization of $141.48 billion, with a fully diluted market cap of $246.43 billion. The 24-hour trading volume is approximately $5.74 billion, indicating strong liquidity and continued investor interest.
XRP has a circulating supply of 57.41 billion tokens, with a maximum supply of 100 billion, ensuring it remains one of the most widely available crypto assets.
Technical Outlook and Market Sentiment
XRP’s all-time high (ATH) was $3.31700, meaning it is currently trading 25.7% below its peak. The technical indicators present a neutral to slightly bullish sentiment, with some ETHNews analysts forecasting a potential breakout above $2.50.
If XRP sustains momentum above this resistance level, it could see further gains toward $3.00 and beyond.
Market analysts suggest that a potential ETF approval for XRP by 2025 could act as a major catalyst for price appreciation. Additionally, legal clarity regarding Ripple’s case with the SEC has removed significant uncertainty, paving the way for further institutional adoption.
Future Predictions and Key Levels to Watch
- Support Levels: $2.15 (critical short-term support)
- Resistance Levels: $2.70 (key psychological level), followed by $3.00
- If XRP maintains momentum above $2.50, it could rally toward $3.50 in the coming months.
- Some traders anticipate a short-term pullback toward $2.00–$2.10 before the next major move.
