The blockchain ecosystem continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and one of the most significant advancements in recent years is the rise of crosschain interoperability. At EthCC in Cannes, France, a major milestone was reached: Axelar Foundation, in collaboration with Ripple, Peersyst, and the broader XRP Ledger (XRPL) community, announced the immediate availability of crosschain connectivity between the newly launched XRPL EVM Sidechain and over 80 blockchains—powered by Axelar’s decentralized interoperability network.
This integration marks a transformative leap for the XRPL ecosystem, unlocking new possibilities in decentralized finance (DeFi), real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, and multichain application development.
Seamless Crosschain Integration from Day One
Unlike many sidechain launches that require months of development before achieving interoperability, the XRPL EVM Sidechain is live with full crosschain capabilities on day one—thanks to Axelar. As the first crosschain connector for this innovative sidechain, Axelar enables secure, trustless transfers of assets such as wrapped XRP, which serves as the native gas token within the EVM environment.
This immediate connectivity allows developers and users to seamlessly move value and data across ecosystems, bridging the gap between XRPL’s high-performance infrastructure and the vast world of EVM-compatible blockchains.
👉 Discover how crosschain DeFi is evolving with next-gen interoperability solutions.
Empowering Developers with XRPL’s Unique Advantages
The XRPL EVM Sidechain is not just another Ethereum Virtual Machine replica—it’s built to leverage the distinct strengths of the XRP Ledger:
- Over 6 million wallet holders
- Sub-second finality and low transaction fees
- Native support for XRP as gas
- A robust, decentralized validator network
- Strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and institutional adoption
These features make XRPL an ideal foundation for building scalable, compliant, and high-throughput decentralized applications. With EVM compatibility now available, developers can use familiar tools like Solidity and MetaMask while tapping into XRPL’s mature ecosystem and decade-long track record.
Key Application Partners Building on XRPL EVM
A growing number of innovative projects are already leveraging the XRPL EVM Sidechain to deliver crosschain financial services:
- Strobe: A money market protocol enabling DeFi lending and overcollateralized borrowing directly on XRPL.
- Securd: A secure lending platform designed to generate passive income through collateralized DeFi positions.
- Vertex: A derivatives trading platform focused on capital efficiency and low-latency execution.
These protocols exemplify how the fusion of EVM flexibility with XRPL’s performance can drive next-generation financial innovation.
Blockchain Infrastructure and Developer Tools
Robust tooling is essential for ecosystem growth. The XRPL EVM Sidechain integrates with leading platforms to support developer productivity:
- Blockscout: Provides a fully functional EVM block explorer for transparent on-chain monitoring.
- Goldsky: Offers high-performance indexing via scalable subgraphs, empowering dApps with real-time data access.
Together, these tools create a comprehensive development environment that lowers barriers to entry and accelerates time-to-market.
Institutional-Grade Infrastructure for Real-World Assets
One of XRPL’s standout qualities is its proven suitability for institutional use. The ledger has long been recognized for its speed, reliability, and compliance-friendly design—making it a top choice for tokenizing stablecoins and other real-world assets (RWAs).
With the launch of the EVM Sidechain, institutions can now deploy sophisticated financial products—such as yield-bearing stablecoins, asset-backed tokens, and cross-border payment solutions—using familiar smart contract frameworks while benefiting from XRPL’s global settlement layer.
“The XRPL EVM Sidechain introduces a new option for developers who want to build with EVM-compatible tools while leveraging XRP and the broader XRPL ecosystem,” said David Schwartz, CTO at Ripple and co-creator of the XRP Ledger. “Axelar’s crosschain infrastructure helps make that possible, supporting greater interoperability without changing the fundamentals of the XRP Ledger itself.”
Expanding the Horizon of Open Finance
Georgios Vlachos, Director at Axelar Foundation and co-founder of the Axelar protocol, emphasized the strategic importance of this integration:
“We are seeing tremendous interest in interoperability from institutions that are already on a path to bringing dollar stablecoins into a new financial ecosystem that is global and blockchain-based. XRPL’s institutional-grade infrastructure provides an ideal starting point for this wave of new, dollarized financial products to reach the world.”
Axelar’s role as the "Gateway to Open Finance" is more relevant than ever. By connecting over 80 blockchains through a single, secure interface, Axelar enables developers to build truly multichain applications without fragmentation or complexity.
👉 Explore how developers are building scalable dApps across chains today.
Getting Started for Developers and Users
For those ready to dive in, resources are readily available:
- XRPL EVM Documentation: docs.xrplevm.org
- Axelar Developer Docs: docs.axelar.dev
End users can begin crosschain transfers using Squid, the designated crosschain UI app that simplifies asset movement between XRPL mainnet and the EVM Sidechain.
Core Keywords Driving Visibility
To align with search intent and enhance discoverability, key terms naturally integrated throughout this article include:
crosschain connectivity, XRPL EVM Sidechain, Axelar, real-world assets (RWA), DeFi applications, blockchain interoperability, XRP Ledger, and EVM-compatible dApps.
These keywords reflect both technical depth and market relevance, ensuring visibility among developers, investors, and institutional stakeholders exploring the future of multichain finance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the XRPL EVM Sidechain?
The XRPL EVM Sidechain is a high-performance, EVM-compatible blockchain connected to the XRP Ledger. It allows developers to build or port Ethereum-based dApps while leveraging XRPL’s speed, low cost, and regulatory-compliant infrastructure.
How does Axelar enable crosschain functionality?
Axelar provides a decentralized interoperability protocol that securely routes messages and assets across more than 80 blockchains. For the XRPL EVM Sidechain, it enables trustless transfer of tokens like wrapped XRP and facilitates data communication between chains.
Can I use my existing XRP wallet on the EVM Sidechain?
Yes. Thanks to seamless integration via Squid, users can interact with EVM-based dApps directly from their XRPL mainnet wallets—no separate wallet setup required.
Why is crosschain important for real-world assets?
Crosschain technology allows RWAs—like tokenized bonds or stablecoins—to be used across multiple ecosystems. This increases liquidity, accessibility, and utility, making blockchain-based finance more inclusive and efficient.
Which DeFi projects are launching on XRPL EVM?
Notable early partners include Strobe (lending), Securd (passive income via collateralized positions), and Vertex (derivatives trading)—all building innovative financial tools tailored for XRPL’s architecture.
Is the XRPL EVM Sidechain secure?
Yes. It inherits security from both Axelar’s battle-tested crosschain network and XRPL’s long-standing consensus mechanism. Regular audits and open-source transparency further reinforce trust.
👉 Learn how you can start building on interoperable blockchain networks today.
Final Thoughts: The Future Is Multichain
The collaboration between Axelar, Ripple, Peersyst, and the XRPL community represents more than a technical upgrade—it signals a shift toward an open, interconnected financial system. With crosschain capabilities available from day one, the XRPL EVM Sidechain sets a new standard for how blockchains can scale while maintaining security, compliance, and usability.
As demand grows for institutional-grade DeFi and RWA solutions, ecosystems that prioritize interoperability will lead the next wave of innovation. The journey has just begun—and developers now have all the tools they need to build it.