TLDR

  • A forged memo asserted that Ripple sold $8B worth of XRP in 2025 and intended to sell more in 2026
  • The memo was appended to an actual Ripple escrow release on January 1, 2026
  • Any user on the XRP Ledger can submit an EscrowFinish transaction once the escrow time unlocks
  • The memo field is public and cannot be edited or removed from the XRP blockchain

A deceptive memo linked to Ripple’s most recent escrow release caused confusion within the XRP community. The sarcastic message falsely stated that Ripple had sold $8 billion worth of XRP in 2025 and planned to sell even more in 2026, triggering online discussions before being confirmed as a prank.

Fake Memo Causes Confusion in the XRP Community

A memo attached to a legitimate transaction misled the community with a false claim regarding Ripple’s token sales. The message alleged that Ripple sold $8 billion worth of XRP in 2025 and aimed to dispose of more in 2026 to support its stablecoin RLUSD.

The confusion began after Ripple unlocked 1 billion XRP—valued at $1.84 billion—on January 1, 2026. Although the transaction was legitimate and part of Ripple’s regular monthly escrow release, the attached memo raised concerns due to its content.

The memo read sarcastically that 2025 was a “wonderful year” for selling XRP and hinted that 2026 would involve more selling. However, Ripple did not write this message. It was later confirmed to be a joke by a user who exploited the XRP Ledger’s transaction mechanics.

How the Memo Was Added to a Ripple Transaction

The XRP Ledger enables any account to submit an EscrowFinish transaction once a specified escrow period ends. In this instance, became valid for release at 00:00:10 UTC. A third party submitted the transaction precisely at that moment.

This individual paid a transaction fee of approximately 0.000012 XRP to gain access to the memo field. Consequently, even though the funds moved from Ripple’s escrow account to Ripple’s wallet, the message attached to it was not from Ripple.

The memo feature on the XRP Ledger is a standard field available for all transaction types. It is stored permanently on the blockchain, cannot be modified, and is visible to all network participants.

Ripple Continues with Scheduled Token Unlocking

Since 2017, Ripple has adhered to a predictable pattern for XRP releases. Each month, it unlocks 1 billion XRP from escrow. Most of these tokens are subsequently re-escrowed, depending on market requirements.

The regular unlocks are intended to offer transparency and predictability in the token’s supply. This particular release on January 1, 2026, followed the same pattern, but the added memo caused confusion among some

Ripple has not commented directly on the false memo. However, blockchain records clearly demonstrate that the message originated from a third-party wallet, not Ripple’s.

XRP Community Reactions and the Role of Blockchain Transparency

Some XRP holders initially believed the claims in the memo were genuine. Others promptly pointed out that anyone can attach a memo to a transaction, even if the funds do not belong to them.

The prank seems to refer to a long-standing claim by critics that sales suppress XRP’s price. By mimicking the company’s tone, the memo attracted attention and was widely shared online before being clarified.

This incident highlights both the transparency and vulnerability of public blockchain networks. While all transactions are visible and permanent, the ability to add open memos can sometimes result in misinformation.