The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is on the brink of a transformative step forward with the anticipated release of its Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible sidechain, expected to go live in the second quarter of the year.
This major development was unveiled during the APEX 2025 event in Singapore by Ripple executives Jaazi Cooper, Director of Product Management, and CTO David Schwartz. The mainnet launch promises to significantly expand XRPL’s capabilities and marks a strategic move to enhance its ecosystem.
Bridging the Gap: XRPL Meets Ethereum
The EVM integration is a game-changing milestone that enables XRPL to support smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) originally developed for the Ethereum network. This interoperability allows Ethereum-based developers to deploy existing projects on XRPL without needing to modify their code, thus unlocking new opportunities for scalability and cost-efficiency.
This advancement opens XRPL to the world of decentralized finance (DeFi), allowing users to engage with features like liquidity provision, yield farming, and automated smart contract executions — tools previously limited to Ethereum and compatible chains.
Testnet Activity Shows Rapid Growth
Since its rollout earlier this year, the XRPL EVM sidechain’s testnet has demonstrated impressive momentum. According to infrastructure provider Peersyst Technologies, 87 new participants have joined the development environment — many of whom had no prior involvement with the XRP ecosystem.
These contributors are working on infrastructure, application development, and user engagement, forming the foundation for a more dynamic and sustainable ecosystem. Peersyst has described the expected migration of this activity to the mainnet as the largest onboarding wave in XRP’s history.
Expanding Opportunities for Users and Builders
The EVM sidechain offers a host of benefits to both users and developers. End users will soon be able to interact with a broader array of financial tools, including staking, liquidity mining, and other DeFi instruments designed to generate returns.
For developers, EVM compatibility significantly reduces the barrier to entry, enabling them to port over their Ethereum-based applications directly onto the XRP Ledger. In doing so, they can leverage XRPL’s strengths—such as fast settlement times, low transaction costs, and robust security—while continuing to build within the familiar Solidity-based environment.
A Strategic Evolution for XRPL
This sidechain initiative is part of XRPL’s broader mission to enhance cross-chain functionality and become a more interoperable Layer 1 blockchain. By connecting with Ethereum’s expansive ecosystem, XRPL positions itself as a competitive and adaptable infrastructure capable of supporting diverse blockchain applications.
The announcements at APEX 2025 underscore Ripple’s long-term vision of building a scalable and inclusive ecosystem. The company’s commitment to driving mass adoption through technical innovation remains clear, and with growing support from new participants, XRPL is well-positioned for the next phase of growth.
Outlook: A Defining Moment Ahead
As the second quarter unfolds, the transition from testnet to mainnet could mark a pivotal chapter for the XRP Ledger. The momentum gained from regulatory clarity, institutional support, and technological progress indicates a promising future.
The EVM-compatible sidechain is not just an upgrade — it’s a gateway for XRPL to participate more fully in the broader Web3 economy, integrating the benefits of Ethereum’s programmability with the performance and efficiency of XRP’s blockchain.
With launch preparations underway and strong interest from the developer community, the XRPL ecosystem is poised for a significant leap forward — one that could reshape its role in the global blockchain landscape.