Ripple, the blockchain payments company behind the XRP Ledger (XRPL), has committed an additional $5 million to advance blockchain education and research in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This funding is part of Ripple’s global University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI). The initiative aims to cultivate next-generation blockchain talent and support groundbreaking academic research.
Expanding UBRI’s Reach Across Six APAC Countries
The new investment builds on Ripple’s previous $25 million commitment to drive crypto innovation globally. It will span six key APAC countries: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Australia. The initiative includes renewed partnerships with leading universities. It introduces new collaborations to explore emerging blockchain use cases like real-world asset (RWA) tokenization.
According to Ripple, the goal is to empower students and researchers. They will be provided with the tools, funding, and strategic guidance needed to innovate within the blockchain ecosystem.
Strengthening Partnerships in South Korea and Japan
In South Korea, Ripple has renewed its six-year, $1.1 million partnership with Korea University. This partnership is a cornerstone of its efforts to expand relationships in the country. The firm is also building on its collaboration with Yonsei University, which was launched last fall, to further blockchain research and development.
In Japan, Ripple’s partnership with Kyoto University continues to thrive. Grants supporting Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo now exceed $1.5 million. One notable project involves developing an autonomous AI agent network on the XRP Ledger. This aims to create a transparent and collaborative AI platform powered by blockchain technology.
“With our current grant, we are developing an autonomous AI agent network on the XRP Ledger to create a transparent, modular, accessible, and collaborative AI platform harnessing blockchain technology. We believe this innovation will be pivotal in shaping the future of AI.”
— Yang Liu, Professor at the College of Computing & Data Science, Nanyang Technological University
Professor Liu emphasized that Ripple’s support enables more students and researchers to engage with the XRPL. They are contributing to its growth and adoption.
Exploring Real-World Asset Tokenization in Taiwan
Ripple is expanding UBRI to Taiwan through a new partnership with the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST). Led by Dr. Echo Huang, Director of the International MBA Program, the initiative will explore the technical and policy implications of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization across multiple blockchains, including the XRP Ledger, Ethereum, and Solana.
The project will also examine the role of on-/off-ramp providers in enabling institutional adoption of tokenized assets. NKUST, UBRI’s 60th partner globally, will leverage the initiative to launch an XRPL Student Builders Club . Additionally, it will operate its own XRPL validator, fostering deep engagement with blockchain technology among students.
This move aligns with Taiwan’s growing momentum around asset tokenization. It is supported by recent initiatives from the Financial Supervisory Commission and six major financial institutions.
Deepening Commitment to Blockchain Research in Australia
In Australia, Ripple is renewing its partnership with the Australian National University (ANU) . It is also launching a new collaboration with Victoria University. The total investment in Australian universities now exceeds $1.3 million.
At ANU, the renewed funding will support advanced legal coursework on blockchain, virtual assets, and digital payments. It will also fund faculty research focused on Evernode, a proposed Layer 2 smart contract platform for the XRPL. Additionally, ANU will continue operating its XRPL validator and publishing student research through the ANU Journal of Law and Technology.
Groundbreaking Research Projects Across APAC
UBRI-sponsored research projects are tackling some of the most pressing challenges in blockchain technology.
For example:
- Professors IK Rae Jong and Dong Hoon Lee at Korea University are exploring ways to enhance blockchain sharding efficiency . They are also combining shards with Layer 2 solutions.
- Researchers are also working on NFT privacy using Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) and zk-SNARKs. They are developing a dedicated crypto finance device that hides transaction records. This allows investigators to audit them when necessary.
At Hanyang University in South Korea, Professor Hyunok Oh is leading a project to improve the efficiency and security of zk-SNARKs. This is a critical component for enhancing blockchain privacy and scalability.
Ripple’s Vision for Blockchain Innovation
Ripple’s expanded commitment underscores its dedication to fostering blockchain innovation and education in the APAC region. By partnering with top universities and supporting cutting-edge research, Ripple aims to position the XRP Ledger as a key player. It is advancing technologies like AI integration, RWA tokenization, and privacy-enhancing solutions.
As blockchain technology continues to reshape industries, Ripple’s investments in education and research will play a crucial role. They are preparing the next generation of innovators.
