Ethereum News Today: Ripple Launches EVM Sidechain to Boost Developer Ecosystem and Innovation

Ripple is expanding its developer ecosystem through the launch of an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain, a strategic move aimed at attracting more developers and fostering innovation on the XRP Ledger. The XRPL EVM Sidechain, introduced in June, allows the creation of Ethereum-compatible smart contracts and applications using XRP as the native token [1]. This initiative reflects a broader effort by Ripple to support experimentation and improve the platform’s appeal to developers.

According to Ripple CTO David Schwartz, the XRP Ledger currently lacks the size of developer community that the company believes it should have. One of the main reasons cited is the absence of layer-1 programmability, which limits the platform's ability to compete directly with Ethereum and Solana [1]. With the EVM sidechain, Ripple is aiming to bridge this gap by providing a familiar environment for developers accustomed to Ethereum’s Solidity language [1].

The sidechain is part of Ripple’s push toward a multi-chain ecosystem and offers new possibilities such as lending platforms and tokenization applications. It also enables developers to access "XRPL’s deep liquidity," according to Ripple [1]. However, the sidechain has seen limited adoption so far. As of the latest data, only $94,000 in assets were being used in DeFi applications on the network, with Moai Finance—the only decentralized exchange—reporting just $54 in trading volume over the past 24 hours [1].

Despite these modest figures, Ripple is actively encouraging development through grants, community funding, and institutional partnerships. The company’s CTO emphasized the importance of attracting more developers to build out the ecosystem and drive long-term growth. Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick has pointed out that the small number of developers remains one of the key challenges for XRP, even as the token is positioned as a key player in cross-border and cross-currency payments [1].

Ripple’s move aligns with industry trends toward multi-chain environments and the broader goal of interoperability. By offering an Ethereum-compatible sidechain, Ripple is not only expanding the XRP Ledger’s utility beyond payments but also enhancing its appeal as a platform for decentralized applications [1]. The success of this initiative will depend on how well it integrates with the broader Ethereum ecosystem and how quickly developers adopt the new infrastructure.

Source: [1] Ripple Aiming for More Developers With Ethereum Sidechain | Decrypt

(https://decrypt.co/333864/ripple-aiming-developers-ethereum-sidechain-cto)