XRP Ledger’s EVM Sidechain Set to Revolutionize DeFi and Smart Contracts

Ripple’s groundbreaking initiative to introduce an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible sidechain to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is set to unleash a new era of development and innovation for the platform. David Schwartz, Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), announced the project’s progress at APEX 2025, indicating its anticipated launch in Q2 2025. This sidechain will serve as an off-chain environment to explore complex smart contracts and DeFi applications while maintaining XRPL’s core strengths: speed, efficiency, and low transaction costs.