30.06.2025 18:43

Ripple's highly anticipated XRPL EVM sidechain has officially launched on its mainnet, marking a significant development for the XRP Ledger ecosystem. This announcement, confirmed by Ripple, integrates the power and familiarity of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with the speed and efficiency of XRP.

The new sidechain boasts full EVM compatibility, allowing seamless integration with popular developer tools like Solidity, MetaMask, and Hardhat. Security is ensured through a Proof-of-Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism supported by a network of over 25 validators. Users can expect exceptionally fast transaction processing, with a block time of just 3.4 seconds and a throughput exceeding 1,000 transactions per second (TPS). Uniquely, XRP serves as the native gas token fueling transactions on this sidechain.

David Schwartz, Ripple's CTO and co-creator of the XRP Ledger, highlighted the sidechain's flexibility, emphasizing its ability to enable developers to deploy EVM-based applications while leveraging the inherent efficiency and reliability of the XRPL. He described it as an enhancement expanding the ecosystem's capabilities without compromising the XRP Ledger's core strengths.

The XRPL EVM sidechain operates as a secure, high-speed network linked to the main XRP Ledger via the Axelar bridge. While a separate network, its native compatibility provides significant benefits for existing XRPL developers. Beyond the technical specifications, this sidechain prioritizes regulatory compliance and features a robust validator network primarily composed of corporate entities. This focus on institutional partners and rapid block times, a stark contrast to Ethereum's, further distinguishes the sidechain.