XRPL’s expansion into DeFi is closer than ever. The XRPL EVM Sidechain, now live on testnet, has surpassed 1M blocks. With the integration with @axelar, XRPL will connect to 70+ ecosystems, unlocking new liquidity and use cases across DeFi. Here’s why it matters Over the years, XRPL has dominated traditional payment systems with efficient, cheap, and reliable cross-border transfers. Which has earned it trust among traditional institutions, including banks. But there’s one vital thing missing: Programmability. Unlike Ethereum, XRPL does not natively support smart contracts, defi, and dapps. To overcome this challenge, Ripple built an EVM-compatible sidechain - the XRPL EVM, directly connected to XRPL, bringing DeFi and dapps support to the ecosystem. But building a sidechain alone is not enough, it needs reach, liquidity, and users. This is why Ripple chose Axelar’s decentralized and secured interoperability network. x.com/ripplexdev/status/1800… XRPL’s integration with Axelar not only connects it to XRPL EVM but also opens XRPL to the broader multichain world. It unlocks fresh liquidity and users from 70+ chains including Cosmos, Ethereum, Solana, and more into the XRPL ecosystem. In addition, it brings new utility to $XRP in DeFi and cross-chain economy. For developers? You can: → Deploy cross-chain dapps on XRPL. → Leverage XRPL’s native DEX, AMM and Decentralized identity to power cross-chain DeFi. → Use Axelar API and tools to build or port dapps quickly on XRPL. → Build new use cases around $XRP in DeFi, like lending, borrowing, and collateral-backed platforms. For User? You: → Enjoy seamless cross-chain UX - send, receive, and use assets on XRPL and 70+ chains. → Gain access to Defi opportunities, tokenized RWAs, and dapps on XRPL. → Benefit from secured cross-chain connectivity via Axelar’s PoS network and validator-backed security. Beyond retail, XRPL's move into DeFi and multichain access will attract institutional capital. We might see a wave of Institutional DeFi, stablecoin adoption, and RWAs tokenization - as XRPL is trusted, reliable, and has strong regulatory compliance for it In conclusion, the integration with Axelar opens XRPL to the broader multichain world, unlocking a powerful ecosystem for developers, users, and institutions. By bridging cross-chain liquidity and expanding access to DeFi opportunities, Axelar positions XRPL as a key player in the ever-evolving DeFi space. As the XRPL EVM Sidechain mainnet approaches this Q2, the integration is set to reshape the future of DeFi.