- Expanded footprint: Ripple’s UBRI programme now spans six APAC countries, with over $11 million invested since launch.
- Focus on innovation: New university projects explore from tokenising real-world assets to integrating AI with XRP Ledger.
Ripple is doubling down on Asia-Pacific blockchain academic research
Ripple has committed another $5 million to its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) in the Asia-Pacific region, expanding its long-term bet on the role of academia in shaping the future of blockchain. The latest round brings Ripple’s total UBRI investment in APAC to more than $11 million, spread across six countries. New additions to the programme include:
- National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) in Taiwan, where researchers are exploring how to tokenise real-world assets using the XRP Ledger.
- Two Australian institutions—Australian National University and Victoria University—which will share $1.3 million to advance blockchain education and applied research.
Meanwhile, existing university partners are receiving fresh funding boosts:
- Yonsei University in South Korea will receive $1.1 million over six years.
- Kyoto University and The University of Tokyo will collectively receive $1.5 million.
- In Singapore, NTU and NUS continue to be major beneficiaries, with combined support now exceeding $3 million. Notably, NTU’s work includes building autonomous AI agents that operate on the XRP Ledger.
This regional investment follows Ripple’s broader efforts in education and development, including a $25 million contribution to RLUSD-based nonprofit initiatives, and a $50 million pledge to the National Cryptocurrency Association in the U.S.
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Why it matters
This initiative represents more than mere philanthropy; it reflects a strategic effort by Ripple to cultivate a robust academic and developer ecosystem within one of the most progressive and blockchain-friendly regions globally.
By supporting university-led blockchain research, Ripple is nurturing future developers, researchers and innovators—people who could eventually drive adoption of the XRP Ledger in practical settings. Countries like Singapore, Japan and Australia are regulatory bright spots for blockchain, with active tech communities. Ripple’s investment here aligns with where blockchain policy and innovation are moving fastest.
As regulatory headwinds persist in the U.S., Ripple appears to be rebalancing its focus globally. Tapping into academic networks in Asia helps strengthen the firm’s long-term presence while reinforcing the XRP Ledger as a platform for serious research and experimentation.
