What did the XRP Ledger (CRYPTO:XRP) just connect to and why does it matter?

The XRP Ledger and its EVM Sidechain went live on Axelar's interoperability network on 20 July 2026, enabling XRP to move across more than 80 blockchains through a single bridge solution. This matters because the XRP Ledger has historically been isolated from the broader DeFi ecosystem, which runs predominantly on EVM-compatible chains. This integration significantly expands where XRP can be used as an asset.

What is Axelar and how does it enable XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) to move across 80-plus blockchains?

Axelar is a decentralised interoperability network that connects disparate blockchains. Its Interchain Token Service handles the technical process of wrapping and unwrapping tokens as they move between chains — so when you send XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) from the XRP Ledger, it appears as a usable wrapped asset on destination networks like Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH), Avalanche (CRYPTO:AVAX), or Polygon. Axelar is the exclusive bridge for wrapped XRP moving to and from the XRPL EVM Sidechain.

What is the XRPL EVM Sidechain and why was it needed for XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) to access DeFi?

The XRPL EVM Sidechain is an Ethereum-compatible blockchain environment that runs alongside the main XRP Ledger. It was developed by Peersyst and went live on 30 June 2025. The XRP Ledger's native architecture is not EVM-compatible, meaning most DeFi protocols — which are built for Ethereum-style environments — couldn't interact with it directly. The sidechain solves this by giving XRPL an Ethereum-speaking layer without changing the main ledger.

What is Squid and what role does it play in the XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) cross-chain experience?

Squid is the user interface layer powering the cross-chain transfer experience for XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) on Axelar's network. It abstracts the complexity involved in cross-chain moves — route selection, fee estimation, and transaction confirmation — into a simpler interface. Without Squid, users would need to manually navigate the technical mechanics of bridging. It essentially makes the cross-chain process accessible to retail users, not just developers.

Who are the key organisations behind the XRPL-Axelar integration?

The collaboration involves three parties: Ripple, which develops and promotes the XRP Ledger (CRYPTO:XRP) ecosystem; Peersyst, the developer of the XRPL EVM Sidechain; and the Axelar Foundation, which operates the interoperability network. Squid contributes the front-end user experience layer. The integration represents roughly two years of partnership development since Axelar was first designated as the XRPL EVM Sidechain's bridge provider in 2024.

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XRP Ledger expands cross-chain access with Axelar network

Written by Brie CarterPublished Aug 5, 2026, 11:39 AM

The XRP Ledger (CRYPTO:XRP) and its EVM Sidechain are now live on Axelar's interoperability network, enabling users to move XRP and other supported assets across more than 80 blockchains without the need for multiple separate bridge solutions.
The integration was announced on 20 July 2026 and builds on a partnership established in 2024, when Axelar was first designated as the bridge provider for the XRPL EVM Sidechain, which itself only went live on 30 June 2025.
Axelar operates as a decentralised network connecting disparate blockchains, with its Interchain Token Service managing the mechanics of wrapping and unwrapping tokens as they move between chains, allowing XRP to appear as a usable asset on networks including Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH), Avalanche (CRYPTO:AVAX), and Polygon (CRYPTO:MATIC).

Axelar serves as the exclusive bridge for wrapped XRP moving to and from the XRPL EVM Sidechain, concentrating cross-chain infrastructure within a single verified provider.

The user-facing experience is powered in part by Squid, which provides the interface layer for moving assets across chains, abstracting the complexity of route selection, fee estimation, and transaction confirmation.

The collaboration involves Ripple, Peersyst — the developer of the XRPL EVM Sidechain — and the Axelar Foundation.

The XRP Ledger has historically operated in relative isolation from the broader decentralised finance ecosystem, as most DeFi protocols are built on EVM-compatible chains that the XRP Ledger did not natively support.

The EVM Sidechain addresses this by providing XRPL with an Ethereum-compatible environment running alongside the main ledger, significantly expanding the range of DeFi applications and institutional use cases accessible to XRP holders.

Cross-chain bridges have historically carried significant security risks, with the Ronin bridge exploit alone resulting in losses exceeding US$600 million, and Axelar's role as the sole bridge for wrapped XRP concentrates infrastructure risk at a single point.

Investors are advised to monitor adoption metrics in the coming months, including the volume of wrapped XRP flowing through Axelar, which destination chains attract the most activity, and whether DeFi protocols begin developing XRP-specific products on connected networks.

At the time of reporting, XRP price was $1.06.