The Cardano ecosystem is taking another major step toward becoming a truly multi-chain platform. Lace, a lightweight wallet developed by one of Cardano’s core developers, has added support for XRP, marking a significant advancement in its interoperability roadmap.

XRP Support Now Live in Lace Wallet

Lace’s latest update, version 1.22, brings with it the ability to manage XRP directly from the wallet. This development is part of a broader plan to make the wallet compatible with multiple blockchain networks. With XRP now integrated, users can send, receive, and store the asset within Lace, further bridging the gap between major blockchain ecosystems.

This update comes just months after the Lace team confirmed its plans to expand beyond Cardano by incorporating Bitcoin. Now, with XRP added to the mix, Lace is becoming a central hub for managing assets across multiple chains.

ADA Staking Still Central to Lace

While support for other chains is growing, ADA staking remains a core feature of the Lace wallet. Since its public mainnet start in April 2023, Lace has allowed users to stake ADA directly from the interface, making it easier for Cardano holders to earn rewards while participating in network security.

In addition to staking, Lace supports multi-wallet and multi-account features, along with integrations for hardware wallets. These tools offer users more flexibility and security when managing their crypto portfolios.

Bitcoin Integration and DeFi Expansion

One of the most important developments in Lace’s evolution is its Bitcoin support. While currently limited to a test network, the ability to store and manage Bitcoin within Lace lays the foundation for Bitcoin-based decentralized finance (DeFi) on Cardano.

This initiative aligns with Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson’s 2025 roadmap, which prioritizes integrating Bitcoin into Cardano’s DeFi infrastructure. By enabling support for Bitcoin, Lace could serve as a key access point for users interested in using BTC in decentralized lending, borrowing, and trading.

Growing Browser Support

Another recent update is the availability of Lace as a Firefox extension. Previously limited to other platforms, this move opens the wallet up to one of the internet’s most popular browsers, increasing accessibility. The extension includes support for staking, connecting to decentralized applications (dApps), and wallet management.

This expanded browser support ensures that Lace can serve a wider user base, especially those looking for a lightweight, browser-based crypto wallet that supports multiple blockchains.

Cardano’s DeFi Vision

Charles Hoskinson has made it clear that Cardano is aiming to lead the next wave of decentralized finance, with a focus on integrating Bitcoin into the space. He recently described Bitcoin DeFi as a “giant sleeping monstrosity,” indicating its untapped potential compared to Ethereum and Solana, which currently dominate DeFi activity.

Cardano’s strategy is to become the platform that finally brings Bitcoin into the DeFi arena, offering tools for lending, borrowing, trading, and more—all backed by Bitcoin’s massive user base and liquidity.

The network’s upcoming improvements—such as the Ouroboros Leios consensus upgrade and Chainlink interoperability—are designed to increase scalability, enhance data quality, and broaden access to advanced financial products.

By collaborating with other networks and oracle providers, Cardano is positioning itself as a comprehensive platform capable of supporting a wide variety of DeFi use cases.

Why This Matters

The addition of XRP to the Lace wallet is more than just a technical update—it signals the continued evolution of Cardano into a fully interoperable blockchain network. With Bitcoin and XRP joining ADA in the Lace wallet, users now have more choices and greater flexibility in managing their assets and engaging with decentralized services.

This level of multi-chain functionality is crucial for the future of DeFi, as users increasingly demand access to multiple blockchains through a single interface. Lace’s updates suggest that Cardano is not only aware of this trend but is actively working to lead it.

Conclusion

Lace’s support for XRP and its ongoing efforts to integrate Bitcoin show how quickly the crypto landscape is evolving. As Cardano pushes forward with its multi-chain and DeFi roadmap, tools like Lace will be at the forefront, offering users a seamless experience across different blockchain networks. With more updates likely on the horizon, Lace is shaping up to be a major player in the future of decentralized finance.