XRPL EVM Sidechain Goes Live on Mainnet: XRP-Powered Gas and Key Features

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The XRPL EVM Sidechain, a major upgrade in the Ripple ecosystem, has officially launched on mainnet. This milestone marks a pivotal shift in how developers can interact with the XRP Ledger (XRPL), opening new doors for decentralized applications (dApps), cross-chain interoperability, and broader adoption of XRP beyond payments.

Announced on June 30, 2025, via RippleX’s X platform, the live deployment enables developers to build, port, and deploy both cross-chain and EVM-only dApps using XRP as gas—a first for Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible blockchains. Backed by years of collaboration between Ripple, Peersyst, and the XRPL community, this sidechain introduces seamless integration with existing Web3 tooling while maintaining direct connectivity to the core XRPL network.

“After years of building with @Peersyst and the XRPL community, devs can now build, port, and deploy cross-chain and EVM-only dApps using XRP as gas, with a direct bridge to the XRPL.”

This launch not only enhances developer accessibility but also reinforces XRP’s utility in decentralized finance (DeFi) and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization use cases.

What Is the XRPL EVM Sidechain?

The XRPL EVM Sidechain is an Ethereum-compatible blockchain designed to extend the programmability of the XRP Ledger without altering its foundational architecture. Developed through a partnership between Ripple, Peersyst, and Axelar, it leverages Proof-of-Authority (PoA) consensus for fast finality and high throughput.

Key technical specifications include:

Unlike traditional EVM chains that rely on native tokens like ETH or BNB for gas, this sidechain uniquely allows developers to pay transaction fees directly in XRP, eliminating the need for wrapped tokens or additional token bridges just for execution.

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Developers benefit from full compatibility with popular Ethereum development tools such as Solidity, Hardhat, and MetaMask, enabling smooth migration of existing dApps from Ethereum or other EVM chains. Additionally, the sidechain features native integration with Axelar’s cross-chain messaging protocol, offering direct interoperability with over 80 blockchains—including Bitcoin, Cosmos, Avalanche, and Polygon.

Future plans include integration with Wormhole, which could expand connectivity to more than 200 dApps across multiple ecosystems, significantly increasing cross-chain liquidity potential.

Core Infrastructure and Early Ecosystem Projects

At launch, the XRPL EVM Sidechain already supports a robust set of infrastructure tools essential for scalable development:

On the application layer, several DeFi projects have committed to building on the chain, including:

These early adopters signal strong confidence in the sidechain’s performance and long-term viability within the broader Web3 landscape.

Why XRP as Gas Matters

One of the most innovative aspects of the XRPL EVM Sidechain is its use of XRP for gas fees. This design choice offers multiple advantages:

  1. Simplified User Experience: Users don’t need to acquire or manage multiple tokens—XRP serves both as a value transfer medium and execution fuel.
  2. Reduced Friction in Cross-Chain Transactions: With no need for wrapping or bridging secondary tokens, transaction paths become shorter and safer.
  3. Enhanced Utility for XRP: Beyond its established role in fast, low-cost international payments, XRP now gains utility in smart contract execution and DeFi participation.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz emphasized that this expansion aims to “extend the programmable capabilities of the entire ecosystem without changing the foundational principles of XRPL.” The goal is clear: maintain XRPL’s speed and efficiency while unlocking modern DeFi functionality.

Peersyst CEO Ferran Prat echoed this vision, stating:

“Today is not the end—it’s the first day of scalable, interoperable XRP-powered applications.”

Georgios Vlachos, Executive Director at Axelar, described the sidechain as an “institutional-grade connector,” capable of driving new waves of demand in DeFi and real-world asset tokenization by bridging traditionally siloed ecosystems.

XRP Market Reaction and Future Outlook

As of publication, **XRP trades at $2.22**, reflecting a 1.4% gain over the past 24 hours, according to CoinGecko. With a market capitalization of approximately $131.1 billion, XRP ranks as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap—excluding stablecoins like USDT.

While price movements are influenced by many factors, including regulatory sentiment and macroeconomic trends, the mainnet launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain has sparked renewed interest in XRP’s long-term value proposition. Analysts suggest this upgrade could transition XRP from being primarily viewed as a payment rail to becoming a foundational asset in multi-chain DeFi strategies.

However, success will ultimately depend on:

If these metrics show sustained growth, the sidechain could serve as a powerful catalyst for XRP’s next phase of expansion.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use MetaMask with the XRPL EVM Sidechain?
A: Yes. The chain is fully EVM-compatible, so you can connect MetaMask by manually adding the network or using pre-configured settings from official documentation.

Q: Do I need a new wallet to use XRP on the sidechain?
A: No. You can use your existing XRP wallet. The sidechain uses a two-way bridge linked to the main XRPL network, allowing seamless transfers.

Q: How does gas pricing work when paying with XRP?
A: Gas fees are calculated in drops (1 million drops = 1 XRP) and adjusted dynamically based on network congestion, similar to Ethereum’s model but at significantly lower costs (~$0.01 per transaction).

Q: Is the XRPL EVM Sidechain decentralized?
A: It currently operates under Proof-of-Authority with 25 approved validators. While less decentralized than PoS chains, this model ensures high performance and security during early adoption. Plans for increased decentralization may come in later phases.

Q: Can non-EVM dApps integrate with this sidechain?
A: Indirectly. Through Axelar and future Wormhole integration, messaging and asset transfers between non-EVM chains (e.g., Solana, Bitcoin via Layer 2s) are supported.

Q: What happens to my XRP when I bridge to the sidechain?
A: Your XRP is locked on the main XRPL ledger and represented as native XRP on the sidechain—fully backed and redeemable at any time through the official bridge.

Final Thoughts

The launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain represents more than just a technical upgrade—it's a strategic evolution of the Ripple ecosystem. By combining XRPL’s proven speed and low cost with full EVM compatibility and cross-chain interoperability, Ripple is positioning itself at the forefront of scalable, multi-chain DeFi innovation.

With XRP now serving as both a settlement asset and gas token, developers and users alike gain unprecedented flexibility. As early projects go live and liquidity begins to flow, all eyes will be on adoption metrics to determine whether this sidechain becomes a cornerstone of the next-generation financial infrastructure.

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