XRP Ledger, the blockchain network backed by the payments firm Ripple, revealed the official name of its upcoming sidechain, calling it the “XRPL EVM sidechain,” and stated that it would launch with Axelar serving as the exclusive bridge protocol.

The interoperability platform Axelar will allow users to swap their XRP into wrapped XRP (eXRP), which will also be used as the native token for gas fees on the sidechain.

Ripple said that using Axelar would “simplify” the user experience and enhance security, and went on to praise Axelar’s track record and integrations with major projects like Uniswap and Microsoft. 

By shifting to Axelar, Ripple is moving away from its proposed XLS-38 cross-chain bridge, stating that the current process with XLS-38 is “arduous.”

“Using two different …