- Ripple will launch an EVM-compatible sidechain for XRPL by end of Q2, enabling Ethereum-based smart contracts and DeFi apps directly on its Layer 1 infrastructure.
- The launch coincides with Ripple’s ongoing SEC case, which may face delays if the agency fails to report the $50M settlement to the Appeal Court by June 16
Ripple Labs is preparing to launch an Ethereum-compatible sidechain for the XRP Ledger by the end of Q2.
The announcement was made on the opening day of XRPL Apex 2025 in Singapore, a three-day gathering centered on development within the XRP ecosystem. Ripple’s product lead Jaazi Cooper and CTO David Schwartz confirmed the sidechain rollout is imminent.
The timing overlaps with Ripple’s ongoing legal conflict with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The agency has until June 16 to report the company’s US$50M (AU$76M) settlement to the Appeal Court. If no filing is made, the process will stall for at least two more months.
Related: Ripple CEO Denies Reported US$4–$5B Circle Acquisition Amid IPO Plans
Ripple’s New EVM Chain
The new chain is designed to support Ethereum-based applications via full EVM compatibility, allowing developers to deploy smart contracts and DeFi tools on infrastructure linked to XRPL. According to validator Peersyst Technology, the sidechain already involves 87 entities, including DeFi protocols, oracles, wallets, and block explorers. Most had no prior connection to XRP.
It’s being built using the evmOS framework and is designed to combine Ethereum’s contract capabilities with XRPL’s lower-cost transaction infrastructure. While Flare Network already provides an EVM layer for XRPL interaction, Ripple’s approach gives the base ledger its own dedicated EVM execution environment.
Wrapped XRP will function as the native gas token, allowing the token to move across chains while preserving its role at the center of the ecosystem.
Related: Ripple Labs Boosts Australian Blockchain Research with Fresh $5M Injection
XRP is currently trading at US$2.27 (AU$3.49), a slight decrease of 1.6% during the day session. However, its value has plummeted over 10% in the last 30 days, according to data from CoinGecko.
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