XRP Ledger Integrates Wormhole, Connects 35+ Blockchains

Ripple has partnered with Wormhole, a leading cross-chain messaging protocol, to enhance the XRP Ledger's (XRPL) multichain interoperability by connecting both the XRPL mainnet and its upcoming Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain to over 35 blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and Polygon. This integration allows XRPL users and developers to transfer assets like XRP, Issued Assets (IOUs), and Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs) seamlessly across supported chains, while also enabling cross-chain smart contract interactions and messaging. The move aims to facilitate the creation of multichain applications supporting payments, decentralized finance (DeFi), and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), thereby positioning XRPL as a flexible and secure alternative for institutional finance and boosting mass blockchain adoption. The partnership builds on recent XRPL upgrades, such as version 2.5.0, which introduced features like batch transactions, token escrows, and permissioned decentralized exchanges, enhancing the network's performance and regulatory alignment. Ripple's CTO, David Schwartz, emphasized that interoperability is essential for mass adoption, allowing tokens to move between blockchains while maintaining native issuance and control. The announcement also positively impacted the market, with Wormhole's native token, W, surging over 12% following the news.