Ripple Funds Over 45 Universities Across 20 Countries to Enhance Blockchain Development

Despite the lingering SEC lawsuit, Ripple continues to make notable impacts around the globe including funding several higher learning institutions and many research projects to further blockchain development. 

To develop the next generation of global changemakers as well as increase the adoption of blockchain technology, the San Francisco-headquartered crypto solutions company and cross-border payment firm have financed over 45 university partnerships across 20 countries since 2018. 

These institutions include Korea University, the University of Michigan, the University of Waterloo, The University of Texas at Austin, the University of Zurich and Morgan State University among others.

While University College London is designing a new approach to the digital currency that could help mitigate future geopolitical crises, the University of Zurich’s Fintech Innovation Lab launched the world’s first interdisciplinary blockchain-related research centre dubbed the Center for Sustainable Digital Finance. 

Ripple, which upholds that academic research is crucial for blockchain technology innovation, has also funded over 1020 academic blockchain research projects and more than 340 fintech courses, at the time of writing. 

Ripple University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI)

This remarkable feat announced on Tuesday has been attained through Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) which champions blockchain research and development in academia. Notably, Ripple’s UBRI supports a diverse portfolio of blockchain research, technical development, and innovation at universities around the world.

According to Ripple, it provides strategic guidance, technical resources and financial support to UBRI partners to help drive research that increases global crypto adoption and interoperability. 

The initiative equally helps prepare the next generation of the global fintech workforce, including blockchain engineers and crypto entrepreneurs. In doing so, Ripple helps to propel blockchain technology and crypto as a tool for economic growth, and positive social & environmental impact for the foreseeable future. 

Commenting on UBRI, Srdjan Čapkun, professor for Systems Security at ETH Zurich said, “As we prepare to embark on a new journey, UBRI’s support will be important to unlock the power and potential for financial technology in Switzerland and beyond.” 

Ripple-SEC Lawsuit

It bears noting that Ripple’s UBRI growth comes amid the heated court battle with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over XRP. The SEC claims that the sixth-largest cryptocurrency which Ripple uses to settle cross-border payments is a security, which led the agency to sue Ripple executives on the grounds of violating securities laws. 

The lawsuit which is expected to end anytime soon is perceived by community members to be in favor of Ripple, resulting in over 40% increase in the price of XRP in the last 30 days. As published, several TA experts predict a prolonged rise in the asset’s value. 

However, Ripple General Counsel Stuart Alderoty recently disclosed what the Silicon Valley tech company would do if the presiding judge issues a summary judgment that favors the SEC. Per the latest development in the XRP lawsuit, the SEC has filed a letter of supplementary authority to support its pending summary judgment motion, urging the court to reject Ripple’s Fair Notice Defence.

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