XRP EVM Sidechain Bridges Two Worlds: Is This the Future of Multi-Chain DeFi?

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According to recent reports, the XRP Ledger EVM sidechain saw almost 1,400 smart contract deployments in its first week, indicating that developers are increasingly interested in the XRP ecosystem, which is moving toward full Ethereum compatibility.

The sidechain aims to combine XRP’s fast and low-cost infrastructure with Ethereum’s smart contract flexibility. User activities remain moderately low, though early data shows good traction on the technical side.

Strong Start: Over 1,400 Smart Contracts in 7 Days

Developer engagement made a noticeable impact immediately after the launch on June 30, 2025. According to blockchain explorer data, the sidechain has clocked over 1.12 million blocks, with consistent block times of 5.6 seconds. Transaction throughput remained smooth, with no backlog.

1,211 developer accounts were created, with over 80% of them being active within the first two days.
Transaction fees remained low, with only 26.1 XRP consumed in fees over the 24 hours.
Daily active users hovered under 150, showing that the chain’s current focus lies in backend development rather than user-facing applications.

“The XRP Ledger EVM sidechain opens the door for Ethereum-based developers to deploy without the usual gas fee headache,” said a developer using the chain via MetaMask.

XRPL EVM Integration — Bridging Worlds: XRP Meets Ethereum in Style

Ethereum Compatibility Driving Growth

The XRP Ledger EVM sidechain supports Ethereum’s Solidity programming language, enabling smooth onboarding of dApps and DeFi tools. Developers can work with tools like Remix, Hardhat, and MetaMask without having to modify core code.

Cross-chain functionality is another cornerstone. Utilizing bridges like Axelar and Wormhole, the sidechain facilitates the transfer of assets across XRP, Ethereum, and other networks. This opens possibilities for multi-chain DeFi projects and NFT marketplaces.

Feature	Detail
Launch Date	June 30, 2025
Smart Contracts Deployed	~1,400
Average Block Time	5.6 seconds
Daily Users (first week)	< 150
Supported Tools	MetaMask, Remix, Hardhat

Performance, Fees, and Ecosystem Integration

The Cosmos SDK and Tendermint consensus enable the creation of a sidechain on a provided framework, thereby achieving both speed and scalability. Despite heavy developer activity, the chain transacted with no congestion.

The typical transaction fee remained around 0.048 XRP, which is an alternative for cheaper and quicker transactions as compared to Ethereum.

The validators are joining in on the fun. There are now 25 active validators, thus laying the groundwork for the decentralized governance layer of the chain. These participants act to ensure network health while enabling high uptime and secure operations.

Screenshots from X (formerly Twitter) show early DeFi experiments and bridge connections being tested in real time. Developers have also begun sharing gas comparisons between Ethereum and the XRP Ledger EVM sidechain, revealing clear cost savings.

Institutional Interest and Future Possibilities

Many blockchain analysts believe that institutional interest in the XRP Ledger EVM sidechain will increase shortly as more scalable and interoperable solutions are sought.

With clarity in certain jurisdictions regarding the regulation of XRP and the established Ethereum ecosystem, the marriage presents an even more favorable environment in which enterprises can deploy enterprise-grade applications.

Should user-facing dApps begin to launch at scale, the sidechain could become a central feature of multi-chain development strategies.

Conclusion

The XRP ledger EVM sidechain promises to be much more than just a showcase piece. With Ethereum compatibility, low fees, and solid infrastructure now in place, the entry into the XRPL ecosystem for developers has been significantly streamlined.

Although the user numbers will need to catch up, the bedrock is good. The next few months will reveal how well it scales and whether real-world dApps can find a home here.

Summary

The innovative XRP Ledger EVM sidechain received a grand reception upon its launch, with approximately 1,400 smart contracts recorded in its first week. Built for compatibility with the Ethereum environment, it enables developers to utilize their regular tools, such as MetaMask and Remix, while reaping the benefits of XRP’s speed and low fees. Though user activity is still growing, the developer response shows real potential. With cross-chain support and fast performance, this sidechain is emerging as a valuable option for building innovative contract-based applications.