Ripple’s XRP Ledger (XRPL) is gearing up for a major upgrade with the launch of its EVM-compatible sidechain, expected to go live in the second quarter. This exciting development was announced by Jaazi Cooper, Ripple’s Director of Product Management, and David Schwartz, Ripple’s CTO, during the ongoing APEX 2025 conference in Singapore.
EVM compatibility means the blockchain can effortlessly run Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts, opening up new possibilities for developers and users alike. The XRPL EVM sidechain’s testnet has already gone live earlier this year and is experiencing rapid growth. According to Peersyst Technologies, the ecosystem has attracted 87 new entities—none of which previously interacted with XRP—contributing infrastructure, applications, and demand generation efforts.
When the mainnet launches, all these new participants will become part of the XRP ecosystem, marking perhaps the biggest onboarding in XRP’s history. This sidechain not only enhances interoperability but also unlocks opportunities for users to earn yields via DeFi applications like liquidity pools and smart contract interactions.
Stay tuned as Ripple continues to innovate and expand its ecosystem, making blockchain technology more accessible and versatile than ever before. The upcoming EVM sidechain launch promises to be a game-changer for the XRP community and the broader crypto space.
