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Ripple has taken another step toward deepening blockchain research by launching a new University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) Advisory Council and welcoming the University of San Francisco (USF) to its growing global network.
The company announced over $1.5 million in renewed grants, now funded using its Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin, as part of efforts to expand real-world applications of the XRP Ledger study.
The XRP Ledger study will guide future research and collaboration between universities and Ripple’s core engineering team, aiming to align academic innovation with emerging blockchain technologies.
Established in 2018, UBRI now includes more than 60 universities worldwide. Ripple said the new council provides a “central structure” to streamline research priorities across this vast network.
The new UBRI Advisory Council brings together key academics and industry experts to focus research on next-generation blockchain tools.
Among the members are David Schwartz, Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, alongside scholars such as Dr. Hitesh Tewari, who specializes in zero-knowledge proofs; Dr. Yebo Feng, an expert in security and AI-integrated systems; Dr. Hyunok Oh, who studies zk-SNARKs and privacy cryptography; and Dr. Radu State, known for his work in smart contracts and cybersecurity.
The XRP Ledger study under this council will explore advanced themes like ZK virtual machines, quantum risks to blockchain systems, and decentralized finance (DeFi) mechanics. Ripple said the structure ensures faster collaboration between academic research and Ripple’s in-house blockchain development.
“The new advisory council gives us a focused approach to research and a clearer path to applying findings directly to the XRP Ledger,” David Schwartz, CTO, Ripple.
By creating a unified table for discussion, Ripple aims to minimize duplicated research and accelerate innovation within its ecosystem.
The University of San Francisco has officially joined the UBRI network, marking a significant expansion in Ripple’s academic outreach. Under a two-year agreement with Ripple, USF’s Center for Law, Tech, and Social Good will examine how blockchain legislation at state and federal levels shapes the development of decentralized technologies.
The XRP Ledger study at USF will also feature a new XRPL Hub managed by the university’s Department of Computer Science. This hub will run a live XRP Ledger validator, giving students practical experience in maintaining blockchain infrastructure.
“This partnership offers students exposure to both the legal and technical dimensions of blockchain,” Michele Neitz, Director, Center for Law, Tech, and Social Good, USF.
USF’s dual approach reflects a growing emphasis on integrating public policy with technical education, a combination Ripple believes is critical for responsible blockchain innovation.
For the 2025 academic cycle, all UBRI renewals were disbursed using RLUSD, Ripple’s native stablecoin. The XRP Ledger study framework allowed the use of RLUSD to simplify cross-border fund transfers and maintain transparent, on-chain records of academic grants.
The $1.5 million funding round includes leading institutions such as Duke University, University of Michigan, University of Wyoming, University of São Paulo, and UC Berkeley. Ripple partnered with Bitso and Engiven to ensure compliance and facilitate seamless onboarding for participating universities.
“The use of RLUSD introduces universities to the same blockchain tools they’re studying,” Ripple spokesperson, in a company statement.
The shift to RLUSD grants mirrors Ripple’s larger vision of mainstreaming blockchain adoption across sectors, including academia, while maintaining transparency and efficiency.
Since its inception, the XRP Ledger study under the UBRI framework has become a central pillar in Ripple’s effort to connect academia with blockchain innovation. With more than 60 participating universities, the initiative now spans multiple continents and disciplines, from computer science to law and policy.
Ripple’s move to form an advisory council and integrate stablecoin-based grants signals a maturing ecosystem, one that aligns theoretical research with applied technology.
The University of San Francisco’s inclusion adds a strong policy perspective, complementing Ripple’s broader mission of bridging academic insight with regulatory and technical advancement.
As blockchain education continues to evolve, Ripple’s approach—anchored by the XRP Ledger study—appears to be positioning the company not just as a payment network innovator, but also as a thought leader shaping the next generation of blockchain research.
