Crypto firm Ripple is bringing Ethereum-style smart contracts to the XRP Ledger. A new sidechain, compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), would soon be live in the second quarter of 2025.
Ripple (XRPL) Sidechain to Go Live Soon!
Ripple CTO David Schwartz confirmed the news at the Apex 2025 event in Singapore. Core developer Peersyst also backed the timeline.
The EVM sidechain is currently live on testnet. It will move to mainnet once final testing and validator partnerships are complete. The launch is expected before the end of Q2.
This sidechain runs in parallel to the XRP Ledger. It combines XRPL’s speed and low transaction fees with Ethereum’s smart contract tools. It’s being developed by Ripple and Peersyst using the evmOS software stack.
The new chain will link to the XRP Ledger through a bridge. Axelar will serve as the exclusive bridge provider. Wrapped XRP will be the native gas token on the EVM chain.
This upgrade could transform how developers interact with the XRP Ledger. With EVM compatibility, they’ll be able to write and deploy smart contracts through Solidity, which is the same language used on Ethereum. That means new apps like DeFi protocols and NFT platforms can be built directly on the XRPL ecosystem.
Until now, XRP Ledger supported native smart contracts but not the Ethereum standard. Flare Network has offered EVM support through its own system, but Ripple’s sidechain brings that capability directly to XRPL.
As competition grows among Layer 1 blockchains, Ripple’s move may help XRP Ledger stand out. It offers developers access to Ethereum tools while retaining the speed and affordability XRPL is known for.
This news comes shortly after another milestone. On the previous day, Zeconomy launched its Digital Commercial Paper (DCP) project on the XRP Ledger. This marked the first issuance of a native digital commercial paper on XRPL. The integration opens new possibilities for institutions using XRPL for treasury and cross-border transactions.
Meanwhile, XRP is trading at $2.29, reflecting a modest 0.38% gain in the last 24 hours. The 24-hour trading volume is at $2.58 billion, which has pushed the market cap of XRP to $134.99 billion. The uptick in market trends thus reflects growing trust in the Ripple community, thanks to these new developments.
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