XRPL EVM Sidechain Launches on Mainnet, Expanding XRP’s Smart Contract Capabilities

• XRPL EVM Sidechain enables EVM-compatible dApps using XRP as native gas token.
• Sidechain offers 3.4s block time, 1,000 TPS, and Proof of Authority with 25+ validators.
• Integration with Axelar, Squid, and Wormhole expands XRPL’s cross-chain DeFi capabilities.

The XRPL EVM Sidechain has officially launched on the mainnet, marking a major development in the XRP Ledger ecosystem. This new sidechain will enable developers to build and deploy Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible decentralized applications (dApps) using XRP as the native gas token.

It connects directly to the XRP Ledger (XRPL), with over 6 million wallets and more than a decade of operational stability. The launch addresses a long-standing demand for EVM compatibility within the XRPL community, providing a scalable system optimized for speed, security, and regulatory compliance.

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The XRPL EVM Sidechain functions as a fast, secure, and scalable layer linked to the XRPL via an Axelar bridge. Axelar, a cross-chain interoperability protocol connected to more than 80 blockchains, facilitates the bridging of XRP, the native gas asset, into the sidechain.

Additionally, according to the report, Squid will serve as the official cross-chain transfer interface, enabling seamless asset movement between the XRPL and the EVM sidechain. Wormhole integration is planned, which will further extend connectivity to over 35 blockchain ecosystems and more than 200 applications.

Technical highlights include a 3.4-second block time and throughput capacity of 1,000 transactions per second (TPS), exceeding Ethereum’s average block time of approximately 14 seconds. The network uses a Proof of Authority consensus mechanism supported by over 25 validators worldwide.

Bridging XRPL and Ethereum Ecosystems

The sidechain, which is compatible with the entire Ethereum ecosystem and provides direct liquidity access to XRP, reflects both the native liquidity of the XRP Ledger and the robust infrastructure of the XRPL, eliminating the tradeoff developers had previously considered when deciding between the benefits of EVM and those of the XRP Ledger. The Solidity, MetaMask, and Hardhat development tools are also fully supported, and it is easy to port and write a smart contract.

This connectivity expands the XRPL’s possibilities in DeFi, lending, tokenization, payments, and other decentralized finance use cases. Current infrastructure partners include Band Protocol, which provides on-chain price oracles; Grove, which delivers public RPC endpoints; Axelar, which enables cross-chain transfers; and Squid, which offers user-friendly transfer interfaces. Moreover, upcoming application partners include Strobe Finance, Securd Labs, and Vertex Protocol, which focus on lending, margin trading, and derivatives.

The XRPL EVM Sidechain is a joint effort among Ripple, Peersyst, Axelar, and Cosmos community members. It provides a new environment for developers, ranging from experienced DeFi builders to those experimenting with smart contracts for the first time.