XRP Breaks $2.20 Barrier as EVM Sidechain Launch Ignites Bullish Momentum

Ripple's XRP has surged past the $2.20 mark in early July 2025, driven by the highly anticipated mainnet launch of its ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible sidechain. This milestone represents a transformative development for the XRP Ledger, enabling Ethereum-style smart contracts and significantly expanding its utility for decentralized applications (dApps) and cross-chain interoperability. The market has responded with strong bullish sentiment, reflecting confidence in XRP's enhanced capabilities and future growth potential.

XRP Surges Past $2.20 as EVM Sidechain Goes Live

Ripple's XRP has breached the $2.20 threshold in early July 2025, fueled by the mainnet launch of its Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible sidechain. The upgrade marks a watershed moment for the XRP Ledger, introducing Ethereum-style smart contract functionality that unlocks new possibilities for decentralized applications and cross-chain interoperability.

Market sentiment has turned decisively bullish as the long-anticipated technical enhancement positions XRP to capture value from the booming DeFi sector. crypto analyst CasiTrades notes the token's strong momentum aligns with broader altcoin market strength, with technical indicators suggesting potential upside toward $3.

Ripple CTO Unveils Rare Glimpse into XRP's Early Development

Ripple's Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz has shared a previously unseen commit tree from XRP's foundational development phase. The visual artifact, resembling abstract code art, emerged during a casual Twitter exchange about updating Schwartz's profile header.

The commit diagram reveals the unpolished, iterative process behind one of cryptocurrency's most debated blockchains. Community response was immediate, with long-time XRP supporters expressing nostalgia for the project's early days.

Schwartz's transparency offers rare insight into Ripple's technical evolution. The disclosure comes as XRP continues to navigate regulatory challenges while maintaining its position as a top-ten cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

Is American Express Secretly Using RippleNet Again?

American Express has alerted clients to delays in cross-border payments, citing system upgrades tied to the Federal Reserve. The timing has sparked speculation among crypto circles, given Amex's past collaboration with RippleNet for streamlining international transactions.

Though unconfirmed, the XRP community is buzzing over potential behind-the-scenes blockchain integration. Market watchers note Ripple's prior work with Amex on US-UK corridors, fueling theories of renewed partnership. Meanwhile, XRP's price stability amid broader crypto volatility adds intrigue.

Will XRP Price Hit ATH in July?

The XRP Ledger has launched its EVM-compatible sidechain on mainnet, marking a significant advancement in functionality. This integration allows XRP to access Ethereum-based dApps and smart contracts, positioning it alongside leading DeFi platforms.

Investor interest is accelerating as the Ripple vs SEC lawsuit approaches a key meeting on July 3rd. On-chain data from Santiment shows a surge in whale transactions exceeding $100k between June 20-23, accompanied by increased exchange outflows. Over $1.7 million worth of XRP was withdrawn from Binance's hot wallet in the past 24 hours, signaling accumulation rather than selling pressure.

Exchange inflows have decreased, suggesting holders are moving XRP into cold storage or DeFi applications. These developments, combined with the EVM launch, could fuel upward price momentum for XRP this July.

XRP Technical Analysis: Bulls Eye $2.00 Support Amid Consolidation

XRP struggles to maintain momentum above $2.30, now hovering NEAR critical support at $2.19. The token's repeated tests of the $2.00-$2.10 zone suggest an impending reversal—a pattern that historically precedes 20% rallies. Market makers appear to be accumulating positions at these levels.

Speculation about spot ETF approvals and treasury accumulation fuels long-term optimism, though technicals dominate short-term action. The symmetrical triangle formation since last week's $2.05 bottom indicates brewing volatility. Traders await either a breakdown triggering stops below $2.00 or a rebound toward $2.50 resistance.

ZachXBT Questions Ripple's RLUSD Adoption Strategy Despite Deleted Critique

Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has raised concerns about Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin, suggesting its adoption relies on paid partnerships rather than organic growth. Though the original social media post was deleted, the sentiment persists—ZachXBT maintains greater trust in established issuers like Circle, Paxos, or Tether.

XRP supporters counter that RLUSD is actively utilized within Ripple's payment network, integrated with millions of merchants through partnerships with AEON and AlchemyPay. They argue paid collaborations are standard for scaling in the stablecoin sector, not evidence of artificial adoption.

Launched in December 2024, RLUSD is a fully regulated, dollar-pegged asset backed by cash and short-term Treasurys. Despite skepticism, it has demonstrated rapid market growth, positioning itself as a contender in global transactions.