XRPL EVM Sidechain Launches on Mainnet, Bringing Ethereum Smart Contracts to XRP Ledger Ecosystem

On June 30, the XRPL EVM sidechain was officially deployed on the mainnet, marking a significant advancement for the XRP Ledger ecosystem by integrating Ethereum smart contract capabilities. This development enables the creation and migration of decentralized applications (dApps) that leverage the strengths of both Ethereum and XRP networks. The sidechain, introduced by Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure, facilitates seamless cross-chain interoperability, allowing developers to build Ethereum-compatible dApps within the XRP environment.

Designed to capitalize on the low transaction costs and high throughput of the XRP Ledger, the sidechain incorporates Ethereum’s smart contract functionality to support complex financial instruments such as lending protocols, asset tokenization, and payment solutions. This hybrid approach enhances scalability, security, and operational efficiency, positioning the XRPL EVM sidechain as a robust platform for next-generation decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.

The project is a collaborative effort between Ripple, Peersyst, and Axelar, leveraging Evmos’ software framework to ensure full EVM compatibility. Unlike previous attempts that offered limited smart contract support, this sidechain connects exclusively to the XRPL mainnet via Axelar’s cross-chain bridge, enabling wrapped XRP tokens to act as native fuel. This architecture underscores a strategic move towards greater interoperability and functionality within the XRP ecosystem.