- The XRP Ledger is gearing up to launch its own Ethereum-compatible sidechain by the end of Q2.
- Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, confirmed the development at the Apex 2025 event in Singapore.
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is getting ready for a major leap forward in decentralized finance and smart contract support. Speaking at the APEX 2025 conference in Singapore, Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, along with Product Director Jaazi Cooper, announced that an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible sidechain is set to go live on the XRPL mainnet by Q2 2025. This development is expected to strengthen XRPL’s position as a decentralized, Layer 1 blockchain with expanded capabilities.
The sidechain is running on the testnet and is built on the evmOS software stack. It has support from Peersyst Technologies, Cosmos, and other partners. A bridge will join the sidechain to the XRP Ledger mainnet, with Axelar chosen as the exclusive provider for cross-chain asset transfers.
XRP holders already have access to Ethereum compatibility through the Flare Network. This new sidechain brings that functionality directly into Ripple’s ecosystem, creating a more streamlined and cohesive experience. Just like on XRPL, XRP will serve as the native token here, powering transactions and playing a central role in utility.
So far, over 87 different projects are building on it, including notable names in DeFi such as Strobe Finance and Vertex Protocol, as well as infrastructure teams like Squid Router and Secured Labs. There’s more. Many of these teams had no prior ties to the XRP ecosystem, which demonstrates the significant new interest this sidechain is generating.
Daily transaction volume has already surpassed 280,000 on average, which shows strong early adoption and highlights the scalability of the network. These developers are working on everything, from critical infrastructure and dApps to new ways of generating demand, laying the foundation for a sustainable XRPL ecosystem.
“EVM compatibility means integrating Ethereum’s rich development ecosystem with XRPL’s distinct features, like its high transaction speed and efficiency. This integration aims to expand the capabilities and reach of XRPL, rather than solely extolling Ethereum’s strengths,” Peersyst Technology wrote.
Why does this matter?
Most Ethereum-native blockchains already support EVM environments. XRPL doesn’t offer this capability. Built on the evmOS software stack, the sidechain will allow Ethereum-based smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) to run directly within the XRPL ecosystem, without developers needing to rewrite or redeploy their code.
The concept is straightforward but game-changing: merge XRPL’s lightning-fast, low-cost transactions with Ethereum’s powerful and widely adopted smart contract tools.
This is a big win for both developers and the XRPL community. Here’s Why. For XRPL, the sidechain opens the door to use cases, including DeFi platforms, NFT marketplaces, token swaps, and other automated financial tools, areas where Ethereum has long held dominance. Even better, as more activity flows through this new sidechain, the demand for XRP is likely to increase, adding more utility and visibility to the token.
XRPL is no stranger to innovation. As recently reported by CNF, the ledger teamed up with Ctrl Alt to help the Dubai Land Department bridge traditional and digital property registries using blockchain. It’s also making headway with permissioned domains, a feature that gives institutions the ability to enforce rules like KYC and AML compliance, another sign that XRPL is not just adapting, but shaping the future of blockchain infrastructure.
