TL;DR
- EVM Sidechain Rollout: Ripple confirmed a Q2 release for an EVM sidechain on the XRP Ledger, enabling Ethereum smart contracts on the network.
- Testnet Success: The integration, built with Peersyst and evmOS and using Axelar for secure asset transfers, is live on testnet with wrapped XRP as the gas token.
- Driving Innovation: This upgrade aims to attract developers and institutional investors by merging XRPL’s fast, low-cost transactions with Ethereum’s robust dApp ecosystem.
Ripple is set to usher in a new era for its XRP Ledger as it prepares for an EVM sidechain rollout in the second quarter of this year. Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, confirmed at the Apex 2025 event in Singapore that this significant development marks a strong move to combine Ethereum’s dynamic ecosystem with the fast and affordable transactions that XRPL is known for.
In collaboration with core developer Peersyst and using the evmOS software stack, the sidechain is now operational on the testnet and is expected to link smoothly with the main XRP Ledger through a secure bridge.
A Game-Changing Sidechain for XRPL
The new EVM sidechain is a significant innovation meant to enhance the features of the XRP Ledger. By connecting the native functions of XRPL with Ethereum’s smart contract platform, Ripple seeks to merge the advantages of both systems. This sidechain will enable developers to launch Solidity-based dApps on a network that takes advantage of XRPL’s proven efficiency.
This integration relies exclusively on Axelar as the bridge provider, ensuring a smooth asset transfer, with wrapped XRP serving as the native gas token. In the end, this shift evolves XRPL from a rapid payment network into a versatile platform that can accommodate a wider range of financial products.
Bridging Two Worlds for Institutional Growth
The Q2 rollout of EVM compatibility is more than a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic move that positions the XRP Ledger to attract a vast new network of developers and businesses. With the addition of Ethereum smart contract functionality, XRPL now opens its doors to a host of innovative projects in DeFi, NFTs, and other blockchain applications.
Early momentum on testnet indicates a strong interest from contributors outside the traditional XRP community, hinting at what could be one of the largest onboarding events in XRPL’s history. In a rapidly changing digital finance landscape, bridging these two worlds solidifies Ripple’s commitment to revolutionizing asset management and cross-border transactions, heralding a promising and inclusive future for institutional investors and tech innovators alike.
