XRP Launches EVM-Compatible Sidechain on Mainnet

The recent launch of the XRPL EVM sidechain marks a pivotal moment for XRP, spotlighting its evolution toward greater compatibility and developer access. Ripple has officially brought the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) mainnet, opening a new chapter in the project’s blockchain ecosystem.

The XRPL EVM sidechain is designed to be fully compatible with Ethereum tools and frameworks, including Solidity, MetaMask, and Hardhat. This innovation provides a development environment familiar to Ethereum developers, while also leveraging the fast and efficient infrastructure of the XRP Ledger. With over 25 validators using a Proof-of-Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism, this sidechain delivers a block time of just 3.4 seconds and supports over 1,000 transactions per second (TPS).

One of the standout aspects of this new sidechain is that XRP itself is used as the native gas token. This integration not only encourages more utility for XRP but also simplifies transactional dynamics for developers and users working on smart contracts within this ecosystem.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz, who also co-authored the XRPL, expressed positive sentiments about the rollout, emphasizing the balance struck between innovation and reliability. According to Schwartz, the sidechain introduces a development-friendly infrastructure without compromising the XRPL’s core efficiency and consistency.

Enhancing Developer Accessibility with the XRPL EVM Sidechain

The XRPL EVM sidechain is connected to the XRPL mainnet via the Axelar bridge, forming a secure and scalable link between the two. This offers a dynamic environment where developers can deploy Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps) while still harnessing the speed and scalability of XRPL. Despite being its own network, the sidechain is fully interoperable with XRPL, aligning closely with the platform’s architectural principles.

What makes this sidechain particularly appealing is its attention to institutional-grade features. Compliance remains a focal point, along with a validator set that largely consists of corporate entities. This distinguishes it from more decentralized chains while still maintaining credible security and performance.

Additional defining characteristics of the XRPL EVM sidechain include:

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• Support for smart contracts through Ethereum Virtual Machine deployment
• Focus on legal and regulatory compliance for enterprise use cases
• Fast block finality of 3.4 seconds, delivering near-instant transaction confirmation
• Corporate-backed validator network driving operational consistency

By creating this new sidechain, Ripple opens the doors for broader developer participation and positions XRP as a more versatile asset within the blockchain ecosystem. Developers can now take advantage of standard Ethereum tools while still benefiting from XRPL’s reliability and fast processing speeds. This sidechain initiative represents not just a technological advancement, but also a strategic expansion that enhances XRP’s role in decentralized finance and beyond.