The long-awaited integration of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) capabilities into the XRP Ledger is now live — and it could be the game-changer Ripple and XRP investors have been waiting for.
Ripple has officially launched its EVM sidechain on the XRP Ledger mainnet, allowing developers to deploy Ethereum-compatible smart contracts using Solidity while benefiting from XRP’s speed and efficiency.
The move dramatically expands the XRP ecosystem’s reach and use case, with bullish momentum building as traders eye a price surge to $3.50.
Why This Matters for XRP and DeFi
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) was originally designed for fast, secure, and low-cost cross-border payments.
But, its lack of support for Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps) kept it isolated from the booming DeFi and NFT sectors. That changes now.
Key Benefits of the EVM Sidechain:
- Solidity Compatibility: Developers can use familiar Ethereum tooling.
- Increased Interoperability: Enables cross-chain functionality with ETH-based platforms.
- DeFi Integration: Unlocks lending, staking, NFTs, and more within the XRPL ecosystem.
- Higher Throughput: Sidechain targets 1,000 transactions per second (TPS) with 3–5 second finality.
The EVM sidechain was developed in collaboration with blockchain infrastructure provider Peersyst and is connected to XRPL via a custom bridge, supporting seamless token transfers and smart contract execution.
XRP Price Forecast: Can It Hit $3.50?
XRP’s market reaction has been swift. After weeks of consolidation, the token is once again gaining traction with traders and analysts.
According to bullish industry analyts, some technical models now point toward a breakout with a near-term price target of $3.50, provided momentum continues and broader crypto sentiment remains strong.
Current XRP Price (as of June 30, 2025 @ 4:14 pm ET):
- $2.31 USD
- +4.46% 24-hour change
- Market Cap: Over $110 billion
Chart analysts point to increased volume and narrowing Bollinger Bands — often a precursor to a major price move. If resistance at $2.35 breaks, the $3.00 level could be tested in July.
XRP’s Original Vision: A Fix for Bitcoin’s Flaws?
The renewed interest in XRP also highlights its original purpose.
According to ZyCrypto, XRP was envisioned not as a Bitcoin competitor, but as a solution to Bitcoin’s limitations — namely, slow transaction speeds, high energy consumption, and lack of native compliance tools.
Ripple’s co-founders believed XRP could offer:
- Faster settlement times (seconds, not minutes)
- Low energy consumption (no mining required)
- Built-in tools for regulated financial services
With the new EVM sidechain, XRP may finally be able to fuse its institutional strengths with the flexibility of DeFi — giving it a unique value proposition in the crypto space.
What’s Next for XRP?
The success of the EVM sidechain rollout could mark the beginning of a new era for the XRP ecosystem.
Ripple is now better positioned to attract Ethereum developers, capture DeFi market share, and reassert its role as a leading blockchain for both enterprise and decentralized finance applications.
Analysts Are Watching:
- Adoption metrics: Number of dApps and smart contracts deployed
- Network activity: TPS growth and wallet creation
- Regulatory clarity: Ongoing developments in the U.S. SEC lawsuit saga
BOTTOM LINE
XRP’s EVM sidechain launch is a fundamental shift — not just a feature update.
With Ethereum dApps now deployable on XRP Ledger, the token’s utility, relevance, and price potential are seeing a major boost. All eyes are now on the $3.50 target in 2025.
FULL COVERAGE: XRP | Cryptocurrency Market
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