The blockchain landscape is evolving rapidly, and Ripple is making a strategic move to bridge two major ecosystems: Ethereum and the XRP Ledger (XRPL). With the official launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain mainnet, Ripple is opening the door for Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps) to operate seamlessly within the XRP ecosystem. This development marks a pivotal step in expanding XRPL’s utility, attracting developers, and enhancing cross-chain interoperability.
What Is the XRPL EVM Sidechain?
The XRPL EVM Sidechain is a parallel blockchain that runs alongside the XRP Ledger, designed to support Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility. This means developers can now deploy Solidity-based smart contracts and use familiar tools like MetaMask, Hardhat, and Truffle to build or migrate dApps directly onto the XRPL network.
One of the most compelling features of this sidechain is its performance. Ripple claims it can process up to 1,000 transactions per second (TPS)—a significant improvement over Ethereum’s base layer, especially during peak congestion. Moreover, transaction fees are drastically lower, making it an attractive alternative for scalable, cost-efficient decentralized application development.
👉 Discover how blockchain developers are leveraging high-speed EVM environments for next-gen dApps.
Seamless Cross-Chain Integration with Axelar
A key enabler of this interoperability is Axelar, a decentralized interoperability protocol connecting over 80 blockchains. Through Axelar’s cross-chain communication infrastructure, assets and data can flow securely between Ethereum, XRPL, and other supported networks.
This integration ensures that Ethereum-based tokens, liquidity pools, and even DeFi protocols can interact with applications running on the XRPL EVM Sidechain. For users, this means they can transfer assets across chains with minimal friction, while developers gain access to XRPL’s native liquidity and fast settlement times.
Squid acts as the primary asset bridge between XRPL and the sidechain, streamlining cross-chain transfers and improving user experience. Additional infrastructure support comes from partners like Band Protocol, which supplies reliable price feeds, and Grove, offering public RPC endpoints and node services—essential components for a robust developer ecosystem.
Empowering Developers with Familiar Tools
Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, emphasized that this launch is just the beginning of a broader vision: “The XRPL EVM Sidechain introduces a flexible environment for developers to deploy EVM-based applications, while maintaining a connection to the XRPL’s efficiency.”
By preserving the reliability and speed of the XRP Ledger while adding EVM compatibility, Ripple enables developers to innovate without sacrificing performance. They can now leverage:
- Solidity smart contracts
- MetaMask wallet integration
- Existing Ethereum developer tooling
- Low-latency finality (3-5 seconds)
This hybrid approach lowers the barrier to entry for Ethereum-native builders looking to expand into new ecosystems without relearning frameworks or rebuilding infrastructure from scratch.
👉 Explore how developers are using EVM-compatible chains to scale their dApps globally.
RLUSD Stablecoin Growth Signals Market Confidence
The timing of the EVM sidechain launch aligns with growing momentum around RLUSD, Ripple’s enterprise-grade stablecoin. Since early June, RLUSD’s market capitalization has surged from $308 million to **$455 million**—a nearly 50% increase in just one month, according to CoinGecko data.
This growth reflects increasing institutional and retail adoption. In April, RLUSD was integrated into Aave, Ethereum’s largest lending protocol, which likely contributed to its rising issuance volume on Ethereum.
However, current data from DefiLlama reveals a disparity: over 85% of RLUSD is issued on Ethereum, while only about 14.5% resides on the XRP Ledger. This imbalance suggests that despite Ripple’s native infrastructure, much of the demand and usage still occurs outside its core chain.
The new EVM Sidechain could be the catalyst needed to rebalance this distribution. By enabling seamless deployment of DeFi protocols directly on XRPL-compatible infrastructure, Ripple aims to incentivize more RLUSD issuance and utilization within its own ecosystem.
Addressing Declining TVL with Innovation
While RLUSD gains traction, XRPL’s Total Value Locked (TVL) has seen a slight decline—from $69.7 million on May 14 to $56 million by June 30 (DefiLlama). This dip underscores the need for fresh innovation to attract capital and developer activity.
The EVM Sidechain directly addresses this challenge by:
- Expanding DeFi opportunities on XRPL
- Attracting Ethereum-native projects seeking scalability
- Enabling cross-chain yield strategies
- Providing faster, cheaper transactions than Ethereum L1
As more dApps migrate or launch natively on the sidechain, TVL is expected to rebound, particularly if major DeFi platforms begin integrating with XRPL-based liquidity pools.
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These terms reflect high-intent search queries related to blockchain interoperability, developer tools, stablecoins, and scalable dApp deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the XRPL EVM Sidechain?
A: It’s a high-performance, EVM-compatible blockchain that runs parallel to the XRP Ledger, allowing Ethereum-based dApps to operate within the XRPL ecosystem using familiar development tools.
Q: Can I use MetaMask with the XRPL EVM Sidechain?
A: Yes. The sidechain supports full MetaMask integration, enabling users to connect wallets, sign transactions, and interact with dApps just as they would on Ethereum.
Q: How fast are transactions on the XRPL EVM Sidechain?
A: The network can handle up to 1,000 transactions per second with finality in 3–5 seconds and significantly lower fees compared to Ethereum.
Q: Is XRP used as gas on the EVM Sidechain?
A: Yes. XRP serves as the native gas token for paying transaction fees on the XRPL EVM Sidechain, enhancing utility within the broader ecosystem.
Q: How does cross-chain connectivity work?
A: Powered by Axelar, the sidechain enables secure asset and data transfers between XRPL, Ethereum, and over 80 other blockchains via standardized messaging protocols.
Q: Will this boost RLUSD adoption on XRPL?
A: Potentially. By enabling native DeFi app development on a familiar EVM environment, Ripple aims to shift more RLUSD issuance and usage from Ethereum back to its own ledger.
👉 Learn how emerging sidechains are reshaping the future of decentralized finance.
The Road Ahead for Ripple and XRPL
Ripple’s launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic expansion. By merging Ethereum’s developer dominance with XRPL’s speed and efficiency, Ripple positions itself at the intersection of interoperability and innovation.
As more projects explore multi-chain strategies, this sidechain could become a critical hub for cross-chain DeFi, payments, and enterprise solutions. With continued investment in infrastructure, partnerships, and developer incentives, Ripple may finally close the gap between its technological potential and real-world adoption.
The future of finance isn’t confined to a single chain. It’s interconnected—and Ripple is building the bridges.