XRP News Today: Ripple Launches XRP Ledger EVM Sidechain for Ethereum Compatibility

Ripple has launched the XRP Ledger EVM Sidechain on the mainnet, extending the platform’s capabilities by integrating Ethereum-compatible smart contracts with the XRP Ledger. This sidechain operates as a separate blockchain running parallel to XRPL, allowing developers to deploy Solidity-based applications using tools such as MetaMask and Hardhat. The sidechain supports up to 1,000 transactions per second and uses XRP as the native asset to power gas fees within the sidechain.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz highlighted that the sidechain provides a flexible environment without disrupting XRPL’s efficiency. Ferran Prat, CEO of Peersyst, described the launch as the start of a broader move toward interoperability. Built with support from Ripple, Peersyst, and Axelar, the sidechain leverages Evmos’ software stack and uses a Proof-of-Authority consensus mechanism.

Developers gain access to XRPL’s network of over 6 million wallets, supporting high-volume applications in lending, tokenization, and payments. Axelar acts as the main bridge connecting XRPL and the EVM Sidechain, enabling cross-chain transfers of wrapped XRP and linking to more than 80 other blockchains. According to Georgios Vlachos, Axelar’s co-founder, the infrastructure is built to meet institutional standards.

Wormhole, another bridge protocol, is expected to be integrated next, supporting more than 200 applications across over 35 blockchain ecosystems. Tooling partners such as Blockscout and Goldsky are providing explorers and indexing services, while Squid supports transfers between XRPL and the EVM Sidechain. DeFi protocols like Band Protocol and Grove have already joined, with applications including Strobe, Securd, and Vertex in development.

These integrations allow developers to build and deploy across chains using XRP’s payment infrastructure while maintaining Ethereum compatibility. The XRPL EVM Sidechain aims to eliminate the long-standing tradeoff between EVM access and XRPL advantages. With smart contract functionality now available, developers can target use cases at scale across both ecosystems.

The XRPL EVM Sidechain is a fast and secure sidechain connected to the XRP Ledger via an Axelar bridge, a leading bridge protocol connected to over 80 blockchains. Axelar is the first interoperability provider to connect XRPL EVM, bridging the native gas asset XRP into the sidechain. Additionally, the sidechain is integrated with Squid as the official cross-chain transfer UI app for XRPL and the EVM sidechain, elevating XRPL’s multichain capabilities.

The sidechain offers faster block times compared to Ethereum's ~14 seconds, alongside low transaction costs, making it ideal for high-volume decentralized applications (dApps). XRP serves as the native gas token for the XRPL EVM Sidechain, and the XRPL’s strong focus on regulatory compliance means that regulated assets can safely operate on-chain, providing EVM developers peace of mind.

The XRPL EVM Sidechain maintains a vibrant and global validator community with over 25 companies running validators. This development introduces Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible smart contracts to the XRP Ledger, enabling developers to deploy their Ethereum-based apps. The sidechain is designed with developers in mind, offering full Ethereum compatibility with Solidity, MetaMask, Hardhat, and more. It also provides fast, low-cost transactions via a Proof of Authority consensus mechanism and a direct bridge to the XRP Ledger for access to 6 million plus wallets and native liquidity.

The sidechain supports 1,000 TPS throughput to support real-time applications and opportunities to build for the third-largest digital asset: XRP. The launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain marks a major expansion of what’s possible with XRP. It brings general-purpose programmability to one of the most established and secure networks in crypto—and it’s just the beginning. The XRPL EVM Sidechain has already attracted projects across DeFi which built novel, cross-chain apps, allowing XRPL users to interact with their protocols directly from Mainnet without needing a new, EVM sidechain wallet. These projects include Band Protocol, Grove, Axelar, Squid, Strobe, Securd, and Vertex. Together, these partners are unlocking new utility for XRP and accelerating developer momentum on the XRPL EVM Sidechain.

Developers can begin building today using Grove’s public endpoint and tools, with full documentation available. The launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain is a significant step forward for the XRP Ledger, bringing Ethereum compatibility and smart contract programmability to the ecosystem. This development opens the door to entirely new classes of decentralized apps, spanning lending, tokenization, payments, and beyond, on infrastructure optimized for speed, security, and scale.