01.07.2025 02:48

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem has significantly expanded its capabilities with the mainnet launch of its EVM-compatible sidechain. This groundbreaking development allows developers to create and deploy decentralized applications (dApps) utilizing the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), a significant step forward for the XRPL's smart contract functionality. Crucially, XRP, the native token of the XRPL, serves as the gas token on this new sidechain, fostering a more cohesive and integrated ecosystem.

Built in collaboration with Peersyst and the wider XRPL community, the sidechain provides a seamless bridge connecting to the established XRPL, a network boasting over six million wallets and a proven track record of more than a decade of reliable operation. This launch directly addresses a long-standing community request for EVM compatibility, delivering a solution prioritizing scalability, robust security, and regulatory compliance. The sidechain's accessibility is further underscored by its integration with established cross-chain communication protocols.

Facilitating seamless asset transfer between the XRPL and the new EVM sidechain, Axelar, a protocol connecting over eighty blockchains, handles the bridging of XRP. Squid serves as the dedicated cross-chain transfer interface, ensuring smooth asset movement. Future integration with Wormhole is also planned, drastically increasing cross-chain connectivity to over 35 blockchain networks and more than 200 applications. The sidechain's superior performance is highlighted by its impressive technical specifications: a remarkably fast 3.4-second block time and a throughput exceeding 1,000 transactions per second (TPS), a stark contrast to Ethereum's average block time of approximately 14 seconds. This speed and efficiency are achieved through a Proof of Authority consensus mechanism, secured by a network of over 25 validators.