The year 2025 has proven pivotal for Ripple and the XRP Ledger (XRPL), as the blockchain ecosystem accelerates its technological evolution, expands institutional adoption, and nears resolution in its long-standing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). With major upgrades, strategic integrations, and growing real-world asset (RWA) tokenization on the network, Ripple is positioning itself as a core infrastructure player in the future of global finance.
This article explores the latest developments shaping Ripple’s trajectory — from the launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain to institutional deployments, legal milestones, and market projections — while highlighting the broader implications for developers, investors, and financial institutions.
XRPL EVM Sidechain Goes Live: Bridging Ethereum and XRP Ecosystems
In a landmark move, the XRPL EVM Sidechain officially launched in June 2025, introducing Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility to the XRP Ledger. This development enables developers to deploy Ethereum-based decentralized applications (dApps) directly onto the XRPL ecosystem, significantly expanding its utility beyond payments.
The sidechain allows seamless migration of smart contracts, tools, and developer workflows from Ethereum to XRPL, leveraging the latter’s fast settlement times (3-5 seconds) and low transaction costs. Early testnet data showed rapid adoption, with hundreds of dApps already exploring deployment options.
👉 Discover how developers are building the next generation of multichain apps on XRPL.
This integration marks a strategic shift for XRPL, transforming it from a primarily payment-focused ledger into a full-fledged platform for decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and institutional-grade blockchain solutions.
Ripple Integrates Wormhole for Multichain Institutional Use
Ripple further strengthened its cross-chain capabilities by integrating Wormhole, a leading messaging protocol that enables secure communication between blockchains. The integration with the XRP Ledger empowers institutional users to move assets and data across multiple chains — including Solana, Ethereum, and XRPL — while maintaining compliance and auditability.
Key benefits of the Wormhole-XRPL integration include:
- Regulatory-compliant asset transfers
- Near-instant settlement for cross-border institutional transactions
- Support for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs)
- Interoperability with major DeFi ecosystems
This move aligns with Ripple’s vision of creating an “Internet of Value,” where financial institutions can operate across blockchains without sacrificing speed, cost-efficiency, or regulatory adherence.
XRP Ledger’s Latest Upgrade: Enhancing DEXs and Token Functionality
The XRP Ledger’s latest protocol update introduced several critical features aimed at improving decentralized exchange (DEX) functionality and user experience:
- Token escrow: Enables time-locked releases of XRP or issued tokens, ideal for vesting schedules and structured payments.
- Permissioned DEXs: Allows institutions to create private or semi-private trading environments with controlled access.
- Batch transactions: Reduces fees and improves efficiency by bundling multiple operations into a single transaction.
- Bug fixes for NFTs and payment channels, enhancing reliability.
These upgrades demonstrate Ripple’s commitment to evolving XRPL into a robust, enterprise-ready blockchain capable of supporting complex financial workflows.
Ondo Finance Launches $693M Treasury Token on XRP Ledger
In one of the most significant RWA tokenization events of 2025, Ondo Finance launched its OUSG treasury token — backed by U.S. Treasury securities — on the XRP Ledger. Valued at $693 million at launch, this deployment places XRPL among the top blockchains for institutional-grade tokenized assets.
The move follows BlackRock’s and Franklin Templeton’s entries into tokenized funds and signals growing confidence in XRPL’s compliance infrastructure and scalability. With the total tokenized treasury market now exceeding $7.2 billion, Ripple is emerging as a preferred settlement layer for regulated digital securities.
👉 See how institutions are leveraging blockchain for treasury innovation.
VivoPower Adopts XRP and Ripple USD for Treasury Strategy
Nasdaq-listed clean energy firm VivoPower announced a $100 million digital asset treasury strategy centered on XRP and Ripple USD (a stablecoin issued on Flare Network). The company plans to generate yield on its holdings through Flare’s DeFi integrations while using XRP for fast, low-cost cross-border operational payments.
This decision underscores a growing trend among public companies to diversify treasury reserves into high-liquidity digital assets — with XRP gaining traction due to its enterprise focus and regulatory clarity outside the U.S.
Legal Clarity Emerges as Ripple Drops Cross-Appeal Against SEC
After nearly five years of litigation, Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced in late June 2025 that the company would drop its cross-appeal against the SEC. This decision follows a New York judge’s rejection of Ripple’s second attempt to settle the case with a $50 million payment.
While the SEC continues to argue that XRP is a security, Judge Analisa Torres previously ruled that XRP sales on public exchanges did not constitute securities offerings — a partial victory for Ripple. By ending the appeal, Ripple signals a strategic pivot toward global expansion and product development rather than prolonged U.S. litigation.
Market analysts interpret this move as a step toward regulatory normalization, potentially paving the way for greater U.S. institutional participation in the future.
XRP’s Role in Challenging SWIFT: A 14% Market Share Opportunity
Garlinghouse reiterated Ripple’s long-term vision during a recent interview: displacing SWIFT in cross-border payments. He projected that XRP could capture up to 14% of SWIFT’s global transaction volume by enabling instant, low-cost settlement across borders.
Currently, SWIFT dominates interbank messaging but suffers from delays (1–5 days) and high intermediary fees. RippleNet, powered by XRP Ledger technology, offers real-time settlement with minimal costs — making it attractive to banks in emerging markets and remittance corridors.
FAQ: Understanding Ripple’s 2025 Developments
What is the XRPL EVM Sidechain?
The XRPL EVM Sidechain is a parallel blockchain that brings Ethereum-compatible smart contracts to the XRP Ledger. It allows developers to build and deploy dApps using familiar tools like Solidity and MetaMask, while benefiting from XRPL’s speed and low fees.
Why did Ripple drop its cross-appeal against the SEC?
Ripple likely dropped the appeal to focus on global growth and product innovation. With partial legal victories already secured — particularly around retail sales of XRP — continuing the U.S. legal fight may no longer align with its strategic priorities.
How does Wormhole integration benefit XRPL?
Wormhole enables secure, trustless communication between blockchains. For XRPL, this means institutions can transfer assets and data between Ethereum, Solana, and other networks seamlessly — enhancing multichain interoperability and expanding use cases.
Is XRP a good investment in 2025?
While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, XRP’s growing adoption in payments, RWA tokenization, and DeFi infrastructure suggests strong utility potential. Regulatory clarity outside the U.S. and institutional interest add to its appeal.
What are tokenized real-world assets (RWAs)?
RWAs are physical or financial assets — like bonds, real estate, or commodities — represented as digital tokens on a blockchain. Ondo’s $693M treasury token on XRPL is an example of how blockchain can democratize access to traditionally illiquid assets.
Can XRP replace SWIFT?
XRP isn’t replacing SWIFT directly but offers a superior settlement layer for cross-border payments. While SWIFT handles messaging, Ripple uses XRP for actual value transfer — faster, cheaper, and more efficient.
👉 Explore how blockchain is transforming global finance today.
Conclusion
2025 has been a transformative year for Ripple and the XRP Ledger. From launching EVM-compatible smart contracts to enabling billion-dollar RWA deployments and advancing cross-chain interoperability, the ecosystem is rapidly maturing beyond its origins as a payments protocol.
With legal uncertainties receding and institutional adoption rising, Ripple is well-positioned to play a central role in the next phase of financial innovation — one where speed, compliance, and global connectivity define success.
Core Keywords: XRP Ledger, EVM Sidechain, Ripple SEC lawsuit, tokenized assets, cross-border payments, real-world assets (RWA), Wormhole integration