XRP News Today: Ripple Launches EVM Sidechain for XRP Ledger, Little Pepe Raises $3.58M in Presale

In the rapidly evolving Layer 2 blockchain space, two projects have emerged as standouts: XRP’s EVM-compatible sidechain and Little Pepe ($LILPEPE). Both projects claim Ethereum compatibility, fast transactions, and decentralized frameworks, but they cater to different audiences and have distinct value propositions.

Ripple’s EVM sidechain brings smart contract functionality to the XRP Ledger, which is built with Peersyst and integrated via the Axelar bridge. This integration allows Ethereum-compatible dApps to operate on XRPL’s secure, compliant base. Developers can now deploy or port smart contracts while accessing XRP’s liquidity and infrastructure. According to Ripple CTO David Schwartz, the sidechain introduces new flexibility without compromising performance. The CEO of Peersyst believes this launch acts like a cornerstone for enabling multichain interoperability for Ripple’s XRP. Integrated with Squid and over 80 chains, the network targets scalable enterprise applications in DeFi, payments, and tokenization. Despite its technical depth, the XRPL EVM sidechain remains institution-focused, with higher complexity and fewer direct touchpoints for retail users or smaller developers.

Little Pepe ($LILPEPE) powers its own Layer 2 EVM-compatible blockchain, built for high throughput, ultra-low gas fees, and community governance. This is a rare feature among meme tokens, which are often built around popular internet meme culture. Little Pepe stands out as a decentralized alternative to major meme tokens with wider communities, thanks to its unique features and user-protective measures. The native $LILPEPE token fuels the ecosystem, covering staking, governance, and on-chain transactions. The tokenomics are clearly structured, with a total supply of 100 billion tokens. Currently in Stage 4 of its presale, 1 LILPEPE is priced at $0.0013. Over $3.58 million has been raised, with 3.06 billion tokens sold. Stage 5 will increase the price to $0.0014. Purchases can be made using ETH, USDT (ERC-20), or credit/debit cards via MetaMask or Trust Wallet. USDT buyers should hold ETH for gas. The project roadmap includes meme-themed phases “Pregnancy,” “Birth,” and “Growth” with plans for a staking platform, meme launchpad, and community voting. No transaction taxes and anti-bot protection enhance transparency and fairness.

Ripple’s EVM sidechain offers years of stability and institutional trust. It’s ideal for large-scale dApp developers and regulated environments. However, it lacks grassroots accessibility. Little Pepe, on the other hand, combines meme energy with a real blockchain backbone and its presale success, open access, and straightforward roadmap are pointers to a high early-stage potential.

Little Pepe is a meme-driven Layer 2 project built on Ethereum standards and with real utility, a 100B token supply, and a growing user base. Its $777K giveaway is now live and 10 winners will each receive $77,000 in $LILPEPE during the presale.