XRP Ledger Set to Launch EVM-Compatible Sidechain

The XRPL EVM sidechain represents a major development for Ripple and the XRP Ledger, offering full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine. This new addition is expected to go live before the end of the current quarter, marking a milestone for the XRP ecosystem and its broader blockchain scalability goals.

The update was officially announced at the XRPL Apex 2025 event in Singapore, which is a three-day summit running from June 10 to 12. This event serves as a global gathering of developers, trailblazers, businesses, and researchers committed to expanding the capabilities of the XRPL and blockchain technology at large. Ripple’s Director of Product Management, Jaazi Cooper, along with CTO David Schwartz, unveiled the EVM-compatible sidechain during the first day of the event.

XRPL EVM Sidechain Poised for Imminent Launch

According to Peersyst Technology, a key validator and contributor to XRPL, the sidechain already involves 87 different entities. These include decentralized finance (DeFi) projects, oracles, wallets, block explorers, dApps, auditors, and bridges. These participants are listed on a growing ecosystem map, and many of them are engaging with XRPL for the first time.

The sidechain has gained strong momentum since its March 31 launch on the testnet, where developers were encouraged to migrate existing projects from the devnet. The rapid ecosystem expansion during its test phase underscores growing interest from developers seeking to leverage XRP Ledger’s benefits while utilizing Ethereum-compatible tools.

XRP Ledger Ecosystem Gains Vital Expansion Tool

Once launched in production, the XRPL EVM sidechain will make it possible for Ethereum-based dApps to run within the XRP Ledger’s infrastructure. This move is expected to expand the network’s utility and attract new developers and partners into the XRP ecosystem.

In a public message, Unity Nodes, one of the contributors to the network, said “Exciting times ahead for XRPL EVM – and this is just the beginning.” This sentiment is echoed by members of the Ripple and XRPL developer community, who view the sidechain’s launch as a key step in driving broader adoption and encouraging cross-platform innovation.

The EVM compatibility also means developers can now build smart contracts and DeFi protocols originally designed for Ethereum directly on XRPL. This provides a significant technical boost for Ripple, aiming to position XRP Ledger as a premier choice for scalable blockchain development in a multi-chain environment.

Notably, this technological rollout occurs while Ripple continues to face legal scrutiny in its longstanding case with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC is required to report its $50 million settlement agreement to the Appeal Court by June 16. A failure to do so would result in an additional two-month delay, potentially impacting Ripple’s operational clarity moving forward.

In the midst of these legal proceedings, XRP has shown notable resilience in the market. According to recent updates, the asset has rebounded strongly, gaining over 370% in the past year, showcasing renewed investor confidence in Ripple’s long-term potential.

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

The introduction of the XRPL EVM sidechain serves as a critical bridge between two powerful blockchain ecosystems: Ethereum and XRP Ledger. With the official mainnet launch approaching quickly, this new infrastructure is expected to enhance developer flexibility, enable wider use of decentralized applications, and accelerate the growth of the XRPL network across the global blockchain community.