The XRP Ledger (XRPL) has officially launched its Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain on mainnet, marking a pivotal advancement in blockchain interoperability. This new development allows developers to build, port, and deploy Ethereum-compatible decentralized applications (dApps) directly within the XRPL ecosystem—combining the robustness of Ethereum’s tooling with the speed and efficiency of the XRP Ledger.
Announced on June 30, 2025, the XRPL EVM sidechain is now live and ready for adoption. By integrating familiar EVM frameworks such as Solidity, MetaMask, and Hardhat, it lowers the barrier to entry for Ethereum developers while unlocking access to XRP’s extensive liquidity and fast transaction finality.
Seamless Cross-Chain Integration with Axelar and Wormhole
One of the most significant technical achievements of the XRPL EVM sidechain is its integration with Axelar Bridge, enabling secure cross-chain communication between XRPL and Ethereum. This bridge allows XRP—the native gas asset of the XRPL—to flow seamlessly into the EVM sidechain, powering transactions and smart contracts.
Axelar’s established connectivity across more than 80 blockchain networks ensures that the XRPL EVM sidechain is not isolated but part of a broader multichain ecosystem. This opens doors for cross-chain asset transfers, decentralized finance (DeFi) composability, and enhanced user accessibility.
Additionally, Ripple has partnered with Wormhole, a leading cross-chain interoperability protocol, further expanding the reach of the XRPL EVM sidechain. With Wormhole’s support across over 200 applications spanning 35 blockchains, developers gain unprecedented access to a global network of digital assets and dApps.
👉 Discover how cross-chain innovations are reshaping decentralized ecosystems.
Empowering Developers with Dual Advantages
Historically, developers faced a trade-off: choose between Ethereum’s rich developer tools or XRPL’s high-speed, low-cost infrastructure. The XRPL EVM sidechain eliminates this dilemma by offering both.
Developers can now leverage:
- Ethereum compatibility: Full support for Solidity-based smart contracts and widely used development tools.
- XRPL performance: Transactions processed in under 3 seconds with fees averaging less than $0.01.
- High throughput: A Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism enables up to 1,000 transactions per second (TPS)—making it ideal for real-time applications like gaming, payments, and DeFi protocols.
This hybrid approach enhances scalability without compromising security or decentralization principles.
Ferran Prat, CEO and Founder of Peersyst, emphasized the strategic importance of this launch:
“With the launch of XRPL EVM, we’re unlocking a new era for XRP — one where it can flow seamlessly across the multichain world. This isn’t the finish line; it’s Day 1 of a much bigger journey toward interoperability, programmability, and utility at scale.”
David Schwartz, CTO of Ripple, echoed this sentiment:
“The XRPL EVM Sidechain introduces a flexible environment for developers to deploy EVM-based applications, while maintaining a connection to the XRPL’s efficiency. It extends the capabilities of the ecosystem without changing the fundamentals that make the XRPL reliable.”
Real-World Adoption and Growing Ecosystem
The potential of the XRPL EVM sidechain is already attracting interest from key players in the DeFi space. Projects such as Band Protocol, Grove, and Squid have expressed intentions to build on or migrate to the new sidechain. Ripple has also indicated that upcoming protocols—including Strobe, Securd, and Vertex—are expected to join the network soon.
These early adopters signal growing confidence in XRPL’s ability to support complex financial applications while maintaining fast settlement times and low operational costs.
Moreover, with over 6 million XRP wallets already in circulation, the sidechain benefits from immediate liquidity and user base access—giving new dApps a strong foundation for growth.
Unlocking Multichain Utility for XRP
This launch represents more than just a technical upgrade—it's a strategic expansion of XRP’s utility in a multichain future. As blockchain fragmentation continues, interoperability becomes essential. The XRPL EVM sidechain positions XRP not just as a digital asset for payments but as a foundational currency across multiple decentralized platforms.
By enabling XRP to be used within Ethereum-compatible environments, Ripple strengthens its case for institutional adoption and broadens use cases in areas like:
- Cross-border payments
- Tokenized assets
- Decentralized exchanges (DEXs)
- Yield farming and liquidity provision
👉 Explore how next-gen blockchains are driving financial innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is an EVM sidechain?
A: An EVM sidechain is a separate blockchain that runs parallel to a primary ledger and supports Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible smart contracts. It allows developers to use Ethereum tools while benefiting from the performance features of another network—in this case, the XRP Ledger.
Q: How does the XRPL EVM sidechain benefit XRP holders?
A: XRP holders gain increased utility as their assets can now be used in DeFi applications, NFT marketplaces, and other dApps built on the EVM sidechain. Enhanced demand across ecosystems may also positively impact token economics.
Q: Is the XRPL EVM sidechain decentralized?
A: While it uses a Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus model—which prioritizes speed and efficiency—it operates under strict governance protocols. Future upgrades may introduce more decentralized mechanisms as the network matures.
Q: Can I use MetaMask with the XRPL EVM sidechain?
A: Yes. The sidechain fully supports MetaMask and other standard Ethereum development tools, allowing seamless wallet integration and contract deployment.
Q: How do I bridge XRP to the EVM sidechain?
A: Users can transfer XRP via the Axelar Bridge, which securely connects the main XRP Ledger to the EVM sidechain. Once bridged, XRP can be used for gas fees or within dApps.
Q: Are there any risks involved in using a sidechain?
A: As with any bridged asset system, there are inherent smart contract and cross-chain security considerations. However, partnerships with trusted protocols like Axelar and Wormhole help mitigate these risks through audited codebases and proven track records.
👉 Learn how secure blockchain bridges are enabling safer asset transfers.
The Road Ahead for XRPL
The launch of the EVM sidechain is not an endpoint but a catalyst for broader innovation within the XRP Ledger ecosystem. With strong developer tooling, strategic partnerships, and growing project adoption, XRPL is positioning itself as a key player in the next phase of web3 evolution—where interoperability, speed, and practical utility converge.
As multichain architectures become standard, assets like XRP that can operate efficiently across ecosystems will play an increasingly central role in shaping the future of decentralized finance and digital ownership.
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