Recent XRP Ledger integrations with Wormhole and Axelar have unlocked cross-chain development and injected over $100M in daily liquidity, accelerating XRPL’s role in the multichain ecosystem. Why is the Demand for XRPL EVM Sidechain Skyrocketing Citing the explosion of smart contracts on XRPL EVM Sidechain, technologist Paul Barron acknowledged that this trend was being witnessed because developer demand was going through the roof. He added that the launch enables developers to build, port, and deploy Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps) on XRPL, combining Ethereum compatibility with XRP’s speed and ultra-low fees. At its core, the XRPL EVM sidechain bridges the XRP Ledger’s high-speed, low-cost transaction capabilities with the vast universe of Ethereum-compatible smart contracts and decentralized applications. Built by Peersyst in collaboration with Ripple, the sidechain is powered by the robust Tendermint consensus protocol and leverages the Cosmos SDK, delivering scalability and interoperability that developers have long sought. The sidechain’s EVM compatibility means Solidity developers can port or build dApps without needing to learn a new language or restructure code. For the first time, developers can tap into XRPL’s native advantages—like fast finality, low fees, and native DEX support—while still using popular Ethereum tools like MetaMask, Hardhat, and Remix. This plug-and-play developer experience significantly lowered the barrier to entry, helping explain the rapid influx of contracts. What’s more, XRPL’s integration with cross-chain bridges like Axelar and Wormhole has supercharged the ecosystem by enabling seamless asset transfers and liquidity sharing between XRPL, Ethereum, and dozens of other blockchains. This multi-chain access created immediate utility and cross-chain demand, bringing over $100 million in daily liquidity into play. Another critical factor is growing institutional and enterprise interest in tokenization and real-world asset (RWA) deployment. For example, Latin America’s top crypto exchange, Mercado Bitcoin, recently announced plans to tokenize $200 million in RWAs on the XRP Ledger, marking a major step in XRPL’s RWA adoption. With Ripple positioning XRPL as a global backbone for tokenized value—ranging from CBDCs to carbon credits—the EVM sidechain is poised to become a critical sandbox for programmable finance and on-chain utility. The launch also comes at a time when developers are seeking alternatives to Ethereum’s high gas fees and network congestion. XRPL’s sidechain offers a cost-efficient, high-performance option without sacrificing EVM familiarity. Meanwhile, Ripple CTO David Schwartz recently emphasized XRPL’s potential to become a vital bridge between traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi), uniting regulatory compliance with open blockchain infrastructure. XRP Forms a Series of Higher Lows According to market analyst Lingrid, XRP is building bullish momentum after breaking out of consolidation, forming higher lows above the key $2.24 support, positioning for a potential continuation rally. She added , “If momentum holds, price may follow the projected wave path toward the highlighted 2.42–2.45 target zone. Structure and positioning suggest bullish control with buyers preparing for another leg higher.” The formation of a series of higher lows is considered bullish in technical analysis because it indicates that buyers are consistently stepping in at higher price levels, showing growing demand and confidence in XRP. At the time of this writing, XRP was trading at $2.28, representing a 2.5% increase in the past week. Conclusion In just one week, the XRP Ledger EVM sidechain has proven its potential to transform XRPL from a fast payments ledger to a full-fledged smart contract ecosystem. With more upgrades on the horizon, including native XRP interoperability and staking support, the EVM sidechain is quickly becoming the centerpiece of XRPL’s next growth chapter, which is bullish for XRP’s price action as the $2.45 zone continues to be in sight.
