XRP Ledger Launches Ethereum-Compatible EVM Sidechain

The XRP Ledger is taking a monumental step forward in blockchain interoperability and DeFi innovation with the official launch of its Ethereum-compatible sidechain. This development brings Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) functionality directly to the XRPL, enabling smart contracts and opening the door to a new wave of decentralized applications.

After years of collaboration between developers, the Peersyst team, and the broader XRPL community, the XRP Ledger EVM sidechain has now gone live on mainnet. With this advancement, developers can create, migrate, and deploy decentralized applications that are native to Ethereum, all while utilizing XRP as a gas token. This expanded capability is supported seamlessly by a dedicated bridge connecting the sidechain directly to XRPL, enhancing cross-chain operability between Ethereum and the XRP ecosystem.

The arrival of the XRPL EVM sidechain significantly amplifies the XRP Ledger’s ecosystem. For a long time, developers and users have sought Ethereum compatibility to leverage the XRPL’s high-speed, scalable infrastructure combined with its cost-effective transactions. With this sidechain now active, a wide range of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms—from payment solutions to lending protocols and digital asset tokenization—can thrive on an infrastructure purpose-built for performance and scalability.

The EVM sidechain is integrated through a bridge powered by Peersyst and is further supported by Axelar, a well-known interoperability network. Axelar connects the XRPL EVM sidechain to over 80 other blockchains, making it the first such service to successfully bridge XRP, the native token, into a sidechain environment where it functions as the main gas currency.

To simplify cross-chain movement, a user interface application called Squid has been incorporated as the official transfer portal between XRPL and its EVM sidechain. This creates a smooth, user-friendly method to move assets and interact with multiple ecosystems, thereby expanding XRP’s role beyond its traditional remittance use case to active participation in multichain DeFi systems.

Additionally, plans are underway to integrate the XRPL EVM sidechain with Wormhole, a leading interoperability protocol that currently operates across more than 35 blockchain networks and supports over 200 applications. Once merged, this collaboration will significantly bolster the XRPL’s position in the broader decentralized landscape.

Beyond compatibility, the XRPL EVM sidechain boasts superior performance enhancements when compared to the Ethereum mainnet. With faster block confirmation times and significantly lower gas fees, developers now have the opportunity to deploy high-throughput, cost-efficient applications. These improvements make the sidechain well-suited for intensive dApps requiring reliable speed and transaction economy.

By using XRP as the native gas token, the EVM sidechain not only boosts the asset’s utility but also aligns with Ripple’s broader vision of expanding XRP’s use cases across modern blockchain ecosystems. This strategic move is expected to attract more developers, institutional partners, and end users to the XRPL platform, catalyzing innovation across sectors like decentralized lending, tokenized assets, and enterprise-grade payment solutions.

For a platform traditionally focused on peer-to-peer payments and token issuance, this Ethereum interoperability milestone is more than just a technical upgrade—it is a transformation. With the ability to now host and support full-fledged smart contracts, XRPL strengthens its competitive position within the multi-chain Web3 world while retaining its foundational advantages of transaction efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

The XRPL EVM sidechain’s launch sets the stage for more developments focused on decentralization, accessibility, and financial innovation—all anchored by XRP’s growing utility. This marks a bold step forward as XRP continues to evolve beyond traditional crypto narratives and into the heart of next-generation blockchain infrastructure.