Major Blockchain Mainnet Launches in 2025: XRP Ledger, Starknet, EigenLayer & More

·

The year 2025 has already proven to be a pivotal period for blockchain innovation, with multiple high-impact projects launching or upgrading their mainnets. From Ethereum-compatible sidechains to decentralized storage and real-world asset (RWA) platforms, the ecosystem is evolving rapidly. This comprehensive overview highlights key mainnet developments across leading protocols, including XRP Ledger, Starknet, EigenLayer, Walrus, and Hemi, offering insights into their technological advancements, ecosystem implications, and future roadmaps.

XRP Ledger Launches Ethereum-Compatible EVM Sidechain

In a significant move to expand its developer ecosystem, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) has officially launched its Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain on mainnet. This parallel blockchain integrates the low-cost, high-speed transaction capabilities of XRPL with the smart contract functionality of Ethereum, enabling developers to build Ethereum-compatible decentralized applications (dApps) within the XRP ecosystem.

The integration opens new doors for cross-chain interoperability and broadens the use cases for XRP beyond payments and remittances. Developers can now deploy Solidity-based smart contracts while benefiting from XRPL’s fast settlement times and minimal fees. This hybrid approach positions XRPL as a competitive player in the multi-chain landscape.

👉 Discover how developers are leveraging EVM compatibility for next-gen dApp creation.

Starknet Advances Decentralization with Staking v2 Live on Mainnet

Starknet, a leading Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution powered by zero-knowledge (ZK) rollups, has successfully launched STRK Staking v2 on mainnet. The upgrade marks a crucial milestone in Starknet’s journey toward full decentralization by enhancing validator transparency and economic incentives.

Key features now live include:

A temporary pause in staking was implemented during the v1-to-v2 migration to ensure network stability and seamless validator integration. With Staking v2 operational, Starknet lays the groundwork for Staking v3, expected by year-end, which may introduce support for Bitcoin staking—a bold step toward cross-chain security sharing.

This evolution strengthens Starknet’s role as a scalable, secure, and increasingly decentralized platform for ZK-powered dApps.

EigenLayer Deploys Slashing and Redistribution Mechanisms

EigenLayer, the Ethereum re-staking protocol that extends consensus security to third-party services (known as AVSs – Active Validation Services), has made two major mainnet advancements in early 2025.

First, the slashing mechanism went live on April 18, allowing economic penalties for operators who violate protocol rules. This enforcement tool is essential for trustless validation and ensures accountability across the network.

Second, EigenLayer introduced its redistribution mechanism on testnets (Holesky, Sepolia, Hoodi), with mainnet deployment expected by late June or early July. Instead of burning penalized funds, this feature allows AVSs to redirect slashed assets—enabling innovative use cases such as decentralized insurance and lending protocols secured by re-staked ETH.

These upgrades reinforce EigenLayer’s vision of a modular trust layer for blockchain infrastructure.

Walrus and Hemi Bring Modular Innovation to Mainnet

Walrus: Community-First Storage Protocol Launches Mainnet

Walrus, a decentralized storage protocol, officially launched its mainnet on March 27, accompanied by a transparent tokenomics model designed to prioritize community ownership. Over 60% of WAL tokens are allocated to community-driven initiatives:

By incentivizing early adopters and supporting long-term node sustainability, Walrus aims to create a resilient, censorship-resistant data layer for Web3.

Hemi: Bitcoin-Secured EVM Chain Goes Live

Hemi Network, a modular Layer 2 blockchain, launched its mainnet on March 13 with a unique architecture: the Hemi Virtual Machine (hVM) embeds a full Bitcoin node within an EVM environment. This allows smart contracts to directly interact with Bitcoin's state—unlocking novel DeFi applications like Bitcoin staking, lending markets, and democratized MEV extraction.

Backed by Binance Labs and other top-tier investors, Hemi leverages Bitcoin’s security while delivering Ethereum-compatible developer tools—a powerful fusion of both ecosystems.

Emerging Platforms: Owlto, PinLink, and Monad Expand Use Cases

Owlto Finance Celebrates Two Years of Cross-Chain Growth

Since its mainnet launch in 2023, Owlto Finance has become a cornerstone of cross-chain interoperability. As of June 2025, the protocol reports:

With its new slogan — “All Roads Lead to Rome, Owl Roads Lead to Alpha” — Owlto hints at upcoming innovations aimed at boosting yield optimization across chains.

PinLink Launches RWA Platform Connecting Physical and Digital Assets

PinLink has gone live with its mainnet, introducing a blockchain-based marketplace for real-world assets (RWAs) such as infrastructure and mining equipment. By tokenizing physical assets, PinLink enables fractional ownership and unlocks new on-chain revenue streams through yield-bearing asset-backed tokens.

This bridge between traditional finance and DeFi opens investment opportunities previously inaccessible to retail participants.

Monad Integrates Chainlink at Mainnet Launch

High-performance EVM chain Monad announced it will integrate Chainlink’s decentralized oracle services from day one of mainnet launch. Key integrations include:

These tools empower Monad developers to build reliable, data-driven dApps with superior speed and user experience.

Other Notable Mainnet Announcements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the significance of XRP Ledger’s EVM sidechain?
A: It enables Ethereum developers to build on XRPL without sacrificing performance or cost-efficiency—bridging two major ecosystems.

Q: How does EigenLayer’s redistribution mechanism differ from slashing?
A: While slashing penalizes bad actors, redistribution repurposes those funds (instead of burning them), enabling new financial primitives like insurance protocols.

Q: Why is Hemi’s integration of a Bitcoin node into EVM important?
A: It allows Ethereum-style smart contracts to verify and react to Bitcoin blockchain events—paving the way for Bitcoin-native DeFi.

Q: What makes Walrus’ token distribution unique?
A: Over 60% of tokens go to the community via airdrops, grants, and incentives—emphasizing decentralization from day one.

Q: How does Monad achieve high performance alongside Chainlink integration?
A: Monad combines parallel execution with native oracle support, ensuring scalability without compromising data integrity.

Q: Can users participate in PinLink’s RWA platform?
A: Yes—investors can tokenize or purchase shares in real-world assets like mining rigs or infrastructure projects.

👉 Explore how emerging blockchains are reshaping digital finance through innovative mainnet launches.

Core Keywords

With numerous protocols achieving mainnet readiness in 2025, the blockchain space is witnessing a wave of maturation—from enhanced security models to practical applications bridging traditional finance and Web3. As these networks grow, they lay the foundation for a more interconnected, efficient, and inclusive digital economy.

👉 Stay ahead of the curve—see which blockchain innovations are gaining traction post-mainnet.