Ripple will integrate smart contracts into the XRP Ledger EVM sidechain in the coming months, aiming to attract more developers.
Ripple, the leading cross-border payments company, has announced plans to integrate smart contracts into the XRP Ledger (XRPL) developer ecosystem. The move is expected to open up new use cases for users, developers, and entrepreneurs, while also attracting a wider developer community to take advantage of the XRPLâs scalability.
According to Ripple, the smart contract feature is expected to be deployed in the coming months on the XRPL Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain. Ripple is also exploring integrating smart contracts directly into the XRPL mainnet, but there is no specific timeframe for this deployment.
Source: Ripple Smart Contracts: The Key to Scaling XRPL Applications
Smart contracts are self-executing contracts stored on the blockchain that execute automatically when specific conditions are met. The technology eliminates the need for intermediaries, allowing for transparent and efficient management of transactions and agreements. Smart contracts are being widely used in many fields, from decentralized finance (DeFi) to supply chain management, and play a key role in the development of decentralized applications (DApps) on popular blockchain platforms such as Ethereum, BNB Chain, Avalanche, and Solana.
The integration of smart contracts into XRPL is seen as a strategic move by Ripple to enhance the programmability and scalability of the platform. Ripple said it is âexcitedâ to collaborate with DeFi developers and encourages the community to provide input on specific designs. In particular, the EVM sidechain, developed in conjunction with blockchain company Peersyst, will provide a familiar environment for developers using Solidity, a popular programming language for building smart contracts on Ethereum.
EVM compatibility will help attract the Ethereum developer community, significantly expand the XRPL ecosystem, and drive global XRP adoption. Ripple believes this development will help its blockchain attract more developers and cement its leadership in cross-border payments technology.
The push to enhance XRPLâs programmability is expected to continue to accelerate in 2025 as Ripple continues to progress toward its goal of adding smart contracts to its mainnet. The integration promises to open a new chapter for XRPL, transforming it into a multi-purpose blockchain platform that meets the growing needs of the global financial and technology markets.
