Ripple Deploys XRPL EVM Sidechain to Bridge Ethereum and XRP Ecosystems

• XRPL EVM Sidechain supports Solidity, MetaMask, Hardhat, and Ethereum tools.
• Axelar bridge connects XRPL to 80+ blockchains, enhancing interoperability.

Ripple has launched the XRP Ledger EVM Sidechain on the mainnet to extend the platform’s capabilities. The XRPL EVM Sidechain operates as a separate blockchain, running parallel to XRPL. It allows developers to deploy Solidity-based applications using tools such as MetaMask and Hardhat. 

Ripple CTO David Schwartz said the sidechain provides a flexible environment without disrupting XRPL’s efficiency. Ferran Prat, CEO of Peersyst, described the launch as the start of a broader move toward interoperability.

Built with support from Ripple, Peersyst, and Axelar, the sidechain leverages Evmos’ software stack. It uses a Proof-of-Authority consensus mechanism and supports up to 1,000 transactions per second. XRP, the native asset, powers gas fees within the sidechain. 

Developers also gain access to XRPL’s network of over 6 million wallets, which supports high-volume applications in lending, tokenization, and payments.

Cross-Chain Infrastructure and Developer Tools Expanding

Axelar acts as the main bridge connecting XRPL and the EVM Sidechain. It enables cross-chain transfers of wrapped XRP and links to more than 80 other blockchains. According to Georgios Vlachos, Axelar’s co-founder, the infrastructure is built to meet institutional standards.

Wormhole, another bridge protocol, is expected to be integrated next. It supports more than 200 applications across over 35 blockchain ecosystems.

In addition, tooling partners such as Blockscout and Goldsky are providing explorers and indexing services, while Squid supports transfers between XRPL and the EVM Sidechain.

DeFi protocols like Band Protocol and Grove have already joined. Applications including Strobe, Securd, and Vertex are in development. Together, these integrations allow developers to build and deploy across chains using XRP’s payment infrastructure while maintaining Ethereum compatibility.

The XRPL EVM Sidechain aims to eliminate the long-standing tradeoff between EVM access and XRPL advantages. With smart contract functionality now available, developers can target use cases at scale across both ecosystems.

At the time of writing, XRP is currently trading at $2.22, up 1.88% in the last 24 hours. 

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