Ripple, the blockchain payments firm, has announced a $5 million investment to strengthen blockchain education and research across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
The fund, announced by the company on Tuesday, will be distributed through its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) to support academic institutions in South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Australia.
According to Ripple, the goal of the initiative is to advance blockchain research, develop educational programs around the XRP Ledger (XRPL), and foster student-led innovation.
Ripple renews $1.1 million blockchain pact with Korea University
In South Korea, the San Francisco-based blockchain company has renewed its six-year, $1.1 million partnership with Korea University to research blockchain sharding, privacy, zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive arguments of knowledge (zk-SNARKs), and cryptocurrency finance.
Additionally, Hanyang University will receive support to enhance privacy features and improve the efficiency of zk-SNARKs. Meanwhile, in Japan, Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo have secured over $1.5 million combined for studies on blockchain integration, digital assets, and secure transactions.
Singapore remains a key hub for Ripple’s academic investments, with total funding exceeding $3 million across Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS).
For the first time, the company has entered Taiwan, awarding a six-figure grant to the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) to explore real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation on XRPL, Ethereum, and Solana. The university will also launch an XRPL validator and a student builders club.
In Australia, Ripple has deepened its commitment by supporting Victoria University and continuing its partnership with the Australian National University, bringing total funding in the country to $1.3 million.
Ripple’s blockchain education drive reaches Africa
Ripple’s UBRI program now spans over 60 universities worldwide, with APAC being a focal point for recent investments.
The company’s efforts also extend to Africa, where partnerships with Onafriq and Chipper Cash utilise the XRP Ledger to enhance remittances and cross-border payments, thereby promoting financial inclusion and digital literacy.
Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, has previously emphasised the company’s dedication to education, including a $50 million grant to the newly formed National Cryptocurrency Association in the U.S. and a $25 million pledge in its stablecoin, RLUSD, for American teachers.
In a post on X, Ripple underscored the importance of academic research in driving blockchain innovation:
“Academic research is the engine behind blockchain breakthroughs: Ripple has been investing in the next generation of blockchain talent for over seven years, and we’re deepening that commitment in Asia-Pacific with new UBRI partnerships, including our first in Taiwan, and a global network now spanning 60+ universities.”
About Ripple
Ripple Labs, Inc., established in 2012 as OpenCoin and rebranded in 2015, is an American technology firm specialising in enterprise blockchain solutions.
The company primarily leverages the XRP Ledger, a decentralised cryptographic ledger, and extends its offerings to other blockchain networks.
The firm’s core focus is on facilitating fast, low-cost international payments and other financial transactions for institutions. Its products aim to modernise cross-border settlements, providing an alternative to traditional banking systems.
The company’s native digital asset, XRP, plays a crucial role in several of its payment solutions, facilitating efficient liquidity and value transfer across various currencies and regions. Ripple remains a prominent player in the blockchain and fintech sectors.