The integration of the Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible sidechain into the XRP Ledger marks a significant milestone for Ripple and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. With Ripple CTO David Schwartz confirming the launch timeline at the recent Apex 2025 event, the move aims to enhance XRP’s utility by enabling smart contract capabilities within the XRPL ecosystem.
Developed in collaboration with Peersyst Technology, the sidechain offers full EVM compatibility, allowing developers to leverage familiar Ethereum tools like Solidity, MetaMask, and Truffle to deploy applications. Transactions on the network will utilize wrapped XRP (wXRP) as the native gas token, facilitating seamless interaction between the XRPL mainnet and the new EVM sidechain.
The exclusive bridge provided by the Axelar network will be instrumental in transferring assets, including the XRP needed to create wXRP, between the two networks. This integration opens up a world of possibilities for developers, as the sidechain supports over 69 other blockchain ecosystems, making it a versatile platform for innovation.
Operating on a Proof-of-Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism, the sidechain is optimized for performance and efficiency, targeting over 1,000 transactions per second with transaction costs below $0.01. A recent security audit by Informal Systems highlighted one critical issue related to a Cosmos SDK module, underscoring the commitment to ensuring network integrity and user security.
By lowering the barrier to entry for developers from the larger EVM ecosystem, the sidechain aims to attract a diverse range of applications to the XRPL ecosystem. The use of wXRP for transaction fees introduces a new demand mechanism for the XRP token, potentially expanding its utility beyond cross-border settlements.
Initial developer interest on the sidechain’s testnet is promising, with projects like Strobe Finance, Vertex Protocol, and Secured Labs already building applications. Furthermore, the participation of 87 new entities on the testnet, with no prior involvement in the XRP ecosystem, indicates the potential for significant ecosystem growth upon the mainnet release.
As the XRPL EVM Sidechain project progresses towards its mainnet launch in the second quarter of 2025, it represents a strategic step towards enhancing the capabilities of the XRP Ledger without compromising its core protocol optimized for payments. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in the cryptocurrency space.