XRPL EVM-Compatible Sidechain Launch: Q2 2025

The XRPL EVM sidechain, developed by Ripple and Peersyst using the evmOS software stack, will go live on the mainnet in Q2 2025, following a successful testnet phase. Announced at the Apex 2025 conference in Singapore by Ripple CTO David Schwartz and Director of Product Management Jaazi Cooper, this sidechain will enable Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps) like liquidity pools, staking protocols, and NFT platforms to run on XRPL. Wrapped XRP (wXRP) will serve as the gas token, and asset transfers between the sidechain and XRPL mainnet will use Axelar as the exclusive bridge. This launch aims to attract Ethereum developers by combining XRPL’s high-speed, low-cost transactions (1,500 TPS, ~$0.0002 fees) with Ethereum’s robust smart contract ecosystem, potentially onboarding thousands of new users and projects.

Recent News

XRPL has seen explosive growth in 2025. On June 15, it processed a record 5.1M transactions in a single day, driven by real user activity. The testnet, live since March 31, averages 280,000 daily transactions and has attracted 87 new entities, many new to XRP, building DeFi apps like StrobeFinance and Vertex Protocol. Circle integrated USDC on XRPL in June, boosting its DeFi potential, while tokenized U.S. Treasuries also went live. These milestones highlight XRPL’s rising adoption in institutional and decentralized finance.

Future Plans

Post-launch, Ripple aims to make XRPL a leading Layer 1 blockchain for DeFi and tokenized assets. The sidechain will support Ethereum’s Solidity language, lowering barriers for developers to port dApps without rewriting code. Ripple’s roadmap includes enhancing interoperability with other chains and expanding real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, with over $120M in RWAs already on XRPL. Analysts predict this could position XRPL to compete with chains like BNB Chain and Avalanche, potentially driving XRP’s market cap beyond its current $130B.

Onchain Data

XRPL has processed over 3.3B transactions and supports 7M+ active addresses, a new high as of June 10. Daily active wallet addresses surged 142% QoQ to 134,600 in Q1 2025, reflecting growing adoption. XRP’s price is $2.07, down 3% daily and 15% monthly, with a 36% YTD decline from a $3.36 peak in January. Whale activity shows mixed signals, with some selling but others accumulating, like a $127M buy in June. Check Glassnode or Etherscan for real-time metrics.

Community Sentiment

X posts are buzzing with excitement, with influencers like @coinbureau calling it “the biggest onboarding in XRP history.” Users like @Crypto_Briefing highlight the sidechain’s potential to enhance DeFi functionality. However, some caution about bridging risks and competition from Ethereum’s established ecosystem. The community is optimistic but urges developers to ensure security and scalability.

Why It Matters

This launch could transform XRPL into a DeFi powerhouse, attracting developers and institutional players with its speed, low fees, and Ethereum compatibility. For investors, it’s a bullish signal for XRP’s utility, though price volatility may follow the launch. For users, it means more dApps and yield opportunities without Ethereum’s high gas fees.