Leading provider of digital asset infrastructure, Ripple, has renewed its strategic partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi through its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI).
This extension reinforces Ripple’s commitment to advancing blockchain research and supports innovative student initiatives in the region, bringing the total funding for NYU Abu Dhabi’s research projects and student initiatives to over $1 million.
Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, stated, “Ripple and NYU Abu Dhabi share a vision of unlocking the full potential of blockchain research and innovation in the region. The UBRI program is crucial for supporting cutting-edge research and academic exploration, and this ongoing collaboration highlights Ripple’s dedication to advancing digital finance.”
The UBRI program, which supports blockchain research at over 58 universities globally, has allocated over $60 million since its launch in 2018. Ripple’s efforts include providing technical resources and funding grants to drive the global adoption and interoperability of digital assets.
Lauren Weymouth, Director of University Partnerships at Ripple, emphasized, “Our initiative is dedicated to advancing blockchain research and education worldwide. Over the past year, we have funded 313 scholarships and research projects, and published over 150 research papers. We are excited to continue our collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi to foster innovation and support the UAE’s growing digital economy.”
Since joining UBRI in 2021, NYU Abu Dhabi has driven significant research and project-based courses in blockchain, cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, and fintech. The Ripple Blockchain Collaboratory at the university has also collaborated with the Corporate Sprint Accelerator Program powered by startAD, supporting fintech and blockchain startups in the UAE.
The extended partnership aligns with Ripple’s broader strategy to deepen engagement in the UAE and the Middle East, focusing on nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and advancing the adoption of digital assets.
In addition to the NYU Abu Dhabi partnership, Ripple recently joined forces with the DIFC Innovation Hub to support blockchain and digital asset innovation in the UAE. This collaboration is part of Ripple’s global 1B XRP Fund program, connecting emerging developers with DIFC’s innovation network.
Ripple’s UBRI has also made significant global contributions, including a $1.05 million grant to Morgan State University’s National FinTech Center and $1 million to the FinTech Lab at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
These investments undoubtedly reflect Ripple’s ongoing commitment to advancing financial technology and supporting transformative research worldwide.
