XRP News Today: XRPL EVM Sidechain Launches on Mainnet Connecting 80 Blockchains

The XRPL EVM Sidechain has officially launched on the mainnet, marking a significant milestone for the XRP Ledger ecosystem. This new sidechain, connected to the XRPL via Axelar, a leading interoperability protocol, enables crosschain connectivity with over 80 blockchains. This development allows for the transfer of assets such as wrapped XRP, which will serve as the native gas token on the new sidechain. The integration of Squid as the crosschain transfer UI app further enhances the XRPL’s multichain capabilities, providing a seamless user experience.

The XRPL EVM Sidechain leverages the unique characteristics of the XRP Ledger, including its fast block times, low transaction costs, and robust validator network. These features, combined with a strong focus on regulatory compliance, make the XRPL an attractive platform for developers. The sidechain has already attracted several projects across the DeFi space, including Strobe, a money market protocol, Securd, a lending protocol, and Vertex, a derivatives trading platform. These partnerships highlight the growing interest in building novel, crosschain applications on the XRPL.

With the launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain, developers can now deploy Ethereum-compatible smart contracts directly within the XRP Ledger ecosystem. This means tools like Solidity, MetaMask, and Hardhat work seamlessly—bridging two major blockchain platforms and expanding XRPL’s developer appeal. The new sidechain is built to deliver high-speed, low-cost transactions. Compared to traditional Ethereum, users can expect significantly reduced gas fees and faster confirmation times—ideal for DeFi apps, NFTs, and everyday transfers. This aligns with Ripple’s ongoing effort to make XRP Ledger more efficient and cost-effective for all users.

By tying into Ethereum’s tooling and contract standards (EVM), XRPL now supports cross-chain asset flows, broader DeFi strategies, and increased liquidity. This interoperable setup attracts both Ethereum and XRP communities, fostering collaboration and innovation across ecosystems. The launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain is expected to expand the reach and utility of the XRP Ledger ecosystem. Developers can now build, port, and deploy EVM-compatible dApps while tapping into the XRPL’s established liquidity and operational history. This development is particularly significant for institutional tokenization of stablecoins and other real-world assets, as the XRPL offers a trusted foundation for these use cases.

David Schwartz, CTO of Ripple and co-creator of the XRP Ledger, emphasized the importance of this launch, stating that the XRPL EVM Sidechain introduces a new option for developers who want to build with EVM-compatible tools while leveraging XRP and the broader XRPL ecosystem. Georgios Vlachos, director at Axelar Foundation and co-founder of Axelar protocol, noted the growing interest in interoperability from institutions looking to bring dollar stablecoins into a new financial ecosystem. The XRPL’s institutional-grade infrastructure provides an ideal starting point for this wave of new, dollarized financial products.

The XRPL EVM Sidechain is designed to support businesses and builders, offering institutional-grade functionality and built-in features to enable secure, efficient, and scalable financial services. With the sidechain now live, developers can begin building today using the XRPL EVM documentation and Axelar documentation. Users can utilize Squid, the crosschain transfer UI app for the XRPL and the EVM sidechain, to interact with their protocols directly from the mainnet without needing a new, EVM sidechain wallet. This development is expected to further enhance the XRPL’s multichain capabilities and attract more projects to the ecosystem.