Is Ripple Next to Get Hacked? A Warning Issued to the Community

In an industry where cyber threats loom large, a new scare has rattled the crypto community—this time involving prominent attorney and XRP advocate, John Deaton. Ripple's Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, took to social media to issue a public caution after a suspicious post appeared from Deaton's official X (formerly Twitter) account. 

The incident has sparked concerns over whether Deaton’s account might have been compromised, and by extension, whether Ripple-affiliated individuals could be targeted next.

“This post looks wrong in many ways. Please do not trust this until you see confirmation he hasn’t been hacked,” Schwartz wrote, igniting waves of speculation across the crypto community.

Arch Public Promoted Post

The questionable post in question promoted Arch Public, a crypto-related platform that Deaton had not previously endorsed in such an abrupt or context-less manner. Tagging major players like Gemini, the post lacked the usual legal context and detailed reasoning that followers have come to expect from Deaton’s communications. 

The post stood out not only for its unusual tone but also for the complete absence of the nuanced policy and regulatory commentary typically found in his updates.

John Deaton Responds: “I Haven’t Been Hacked, I’m Still Fighting for the People”

Following the uproar, Deaton eventually broke his silence to clarify the situation. In a follow-up message, he asserted that his support for platforms like Arch Public, as well as XRP, Bitcoin, and SpendTheBits, is rooted in his long-standing mission to democratize access to financial tools for everyday investors. According to Deaton, the algorithm provided by Arch Public is free and intended to empower non-elite investors without requiring upfront capital or risk.

Addressing concerns head-on, Deaton emphasized that he had not been hacked and that his absence was due to travel commitments. To further reassure his 354,000 followers, he announced a live session on April 16, 2025, at 3 PM EST on X, where he plans to address community concerns in full.

In his clarification, Deaton acknowledged previous criticisms—being labeled a “Ripple plant” or being accused by Bitcoin maximalists of bias—but maintained his consistent message: if a platform can help people build wealth without jeopardizing their financial safety, it’s worth exploring, regardless of skepticism.

Also read XRP's April Surge: Ripple's Legal Victory and Optimism for the Future

Broader Context: A Spike in Crypto Exploits Sparks Nervousness

The concerns around Deaton’s account come at a particularly volatile time for the crypto space. In the same week, two major crypto platforms—KiloEx and ZKsync—were successfully exploited by hackers, resulting in combined losses exceeding $12 million.

KiloEx, a decentralized exchange, lost approximately $7.5 million due to a flaw in its pricing oracle mechanism. The vulnerability, which impacted its multi-chain setup involving BNB Smart Chain, Base, and Taiko networks, led to a significant 32% drop in the value of its native token, KILO.

Meanwhile, ZKsync, an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution, fell victim to an exploit involving a compromised admin account, allowing attackers to seize over $5 million in unclaimed tokens from a recent airdrop campaign. These breaches underscore the persistent risks that even highly technical and reputable blockchain projects face.

According to a report by Chainalysis, crypto-related hacks in 2024 alone have already exceeded $2 billion, marking the fourth consecutive year that illicit gains in the space have crossed the billion-dollar threshold. The most common attack vectors continue to include smart contract vulnerabilities, phishing attacks, and administrator account compromises, much like what may have triggered the concern around Deaton’s post.

Also read XRP Price Prediction: How Could It Surge to $2.20?

Ripple and the Threat of Association-Based Misinformation

Ripple Labs itself has not been directly targeted in any known cyber incidents in 2024, but the wave of high-profile attacks and the proximity of Deaton’s name to Ripple’s ongoing legal battles with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have many wondering whether it’s only a matter of time.

Ripple’s CTO taking the step to publicly warn about a possible hack—especially involving someone as closely aligned with the XRP community as John Deaton—may signal a more proactive security posture from the company. Schwartz’s quick reaction may also reflect Ripple’s broader desire to shield its reputation from association-based attacks or social engineering exploits.

Notably, Ripple has previously dealt with issues of impersonation and phishing scams using XRP giveaways or false airdrops. These tactics rely heavily on social proof and trusted voices, making figures like Deaton high-value targets for hackers.

Also read Standard Chartered's XRP Price Prediction - Looks Ambitious, Breaking $5?

What’s Next? Community Watches Deaton’s Livestream for Clarity

The live session scheduled for April 16, 2025, is expected to offer much-needed clarity. Community members are hoping that Deaton will provide technical proof that his account remained secure and further explain his endorsement of Arch Public—assuming the message was authentic to begin with.

Until then, crypto investors and observers are urged to remain cautious. As the line between authentic endorsement and potential manipulation continues to blur, the importance of verifying sources, enabling multi-factor authentication, and monitoring unusual activity becomes paramount for anyone active in the digital asset space.

In the face of rising cybersecurity threats, the Ripple community—and indeed the entire crypto world—must stay vigilant. Whether or not this incident is ultimately chalked up to miscommunication, the scare is a timely reminder: in crypto, trust is earned, but verification is essential.

FAQ

1. Was John Deaton’s account actually hacked?

There is no confirmed evidence that John Deaton’s account was compromised. However, Ripple CTO David Schwartz urged caution until Deaton personally clarifies the situation during his scheduled livestream on X on April 16, 2025.

2. Why did John Deaton’s post about Arch Public raise concerns?

The post was unusually promotional, lacked Deaton’s usual legal tone and context, and tagged high-profile accounts like Gemini—raising suspicions about its authenticity.

3. Is Ripple at risk of being hacked next?

While there’s no sign Ripple itself has been compromised, the broader crypto landscape has seen multiple security breaches recently—such as attacks on KiloEx and ZKsync—which has fueled concern that larger players could be targeted next.

4. How can users protect themselves from crypto-related impersonation or account hacks? 

Always verify announcements through official sources, enable two-factor authentication, and be cautious of unfamiliar links—even if they appear to come from trusted accounts.