Ripple Expands Blockchain Research Initiative in Asia-Pacific Region
Ripple Labs has pledged an additional $5 million to support academic research and develop blockchain talent in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region through its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI). This commitment brings the total funding across various countries to significant levels, reinforcing Ripple’s dedication to fostering blockchain innovation.
The UBRI has already established strong partnerships with prestigious universities across the region. In South Korea, Yonsei University has received $1.1 million over a six-year collaboration. Japanese institutions, including Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo, have been granted $1.5 million. Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore have collectively received over $3 million in funding.
At NTU, Professor Yang Liu of the College of Computing and Data Science is leading a project to develop an autonomous AI agent network on the XRP Ledger. “With our current grant, we are creating a transparent, modular, accessible, and collaborative AI platform harnessing blockchain technology,” Liu explained. “We believe this innovation will be pivotal in shaping the future of AI.”
New partnerships under the latest funding round include the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology in Taiwan, which will explore real-world asset (RWA) tokenization on the XRP Ledger. “NKUST is excited about this new chapter, partnering with Ripple’s UBRI to explore the potential of RWA tokenization,” said Professor Echo Huang.
In Australia, UBRI has strengthened its ties with the Australian National University and partnered with Victoria University, allocating a total of $1.3 million across these institutions.
This recent commitment builds on Ripple’s broader efforts in education and cryptocurrency development. In May, Ripple allocated $25 million in RLUSD, its dollar-backed stablecoin, to support education nonprofit organizations in the United States. Earlier in March, the company launched the National Cryptocurrency Association, a nonprofit organization aimed at improving crypto education in the U.S., with a pledged grant of $50 million.
Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing cryptocurrency education and research globally. The expansion of UBRI in the APAC region is a significant step in this direction, fostering innovation and talent in blockchain technology across universities and countries.
