Ripple Expands UBRI With New Advisory Council and USF Deal

• Ripple launches Advisory Council and USF partnership to advance blockchain research.
• Over $1.5 million in renewed UBRI grants distributed through Ripple USD (RLUSD).
• UBRI expands to more than 60 universities, linking research with real-world applications.

Ripple has unveiled new academic initiatives under its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI), expanding its partnerships and funding model. Announced this week, the company introduced a global Advisory Council, confirmed a collaboration with the University of San Francisco (USF), and renewed over $1.5 million in research grants funded entirely in RLUSD, its dollar-backed stablecoin.

New Advisory Council to Guide Blockchain Research

UBRI, launched in 2018, has supported more than 60 universities worldwide and committed over $80 million to blockchain research. Ripple’s newly formed Advisory Council now formalizes this collaboration by linking academic research with its engineering expertise. 

The council includes XRP Ledger Co-Creator David Schwartz and researchers such as Dr. Hitesh Tewari from Trinity College Dublin, Dr. Yebo Feng from Nanyang Technological University, Dr. Hyunok Oh from Hanyang University, and Dr. Radu State from the University of Luxembourg.

The group will explore emerging topics, including zero-knowledge virtual machines, DeFi adoption, and quantum computing’s effects on blockchain. According to Schwartz, the initiative enhances stronger collaboration between developers and academics studying the XRP Ledger (XRPL). 

He stated that continuous knowledge exchange is essential for improving blockchain technology. The council’s formation connects Ripple’s research ecosystem more closely with institutions leading applied cryptography and cybersecurity. This approach also ensures that ongoing academic work contributes to the development of real-world blockchain infrastructure.

Partnership With the University of San Francisco

Alongside the new council, Ripple confirmed a partnership with the University of San Francisco. The collaboration brings together legal scholars, technologists, and students to explore how blockchain can support public service. Over the next two years, the Center for Law, Tech, and Social Good will research how state-level blockchain laws can promote responsible innovation. 

USF’s Department of Computer Science will also establish an XRPL Hub, operating a validator to support the ledger’s decentralized network. The hub will serve as a learning tool for students, integrating technical education with hands-on blockchain experience.

Michele Neitz, Director of the Center for Law, Tech and Social Good, said the initiative helps students approach blockchain from both legal and technological angles. She added that the partnership aligns with the Center’s goal of preparing future lawmakers and leaders to evaluate technology in a balanced manner.

This collaboration shows how Ripple’s university partnerships aim to bridge education, policy, and applied blockchain development. By combining legal and technical disciplines, USF researchers will contribute to policy recommendations and practical blockchain solutions.

Related: Ripple and Absa Launch Institutional Crypto Custody in Africa

Funding Renewals Powered by Ripple USD

Ripple is also modernizing how it funds research, distributing more than $1.5 million in renewed UBRI grants through RLUSD. The company worked with Bitso and Engiven to manage compliant on and off-ramps for partner universities. This ensured each institution could receive funds transparently while gaining practical experience using digital assets.

Renewed UBRI partners include the University of Michigan, University of Wyoming, UC Berkeley, University of São Paulo, and Duke University. Each institution continues its blockchain research in areas such as fintech innovation, digital payments, and cryptographic systems.

According to Ripple, funding through RLUSD not only simplifies cross-border payments but also exposes academic institutions to real-world applications of stablecoins. These grants support UBRI’s broader effort to connect research outcomes with blockchain adoption.

UBRI’s global reach now ranges more than 60 universities. Its projects include Imperial College London’s study on stablecoins in the UK’s financial system and Stanford’s analysis comparing stablecoin payments to traditional payment methods. 

Together, these collaborations demonstrate the growing academic interest in blockchain efficiency and its integration into existing infrastructure. Beyond academia, Ripple recently completed its acquisition of Hidden Road, a global non-bank prime broker. 

The business, now renamed Ripple Prime, offers services across foreign exchange, digital assets, and derivatives. The company also partnered with Bahrain Fintech Bay to support blockchain development in the Middle East and with Absa Bank in South Africa to launch institutional-grade custody solutions.

Ripple’s latest initiatives show a growing convergence between academic research and blockchain technology development. By integrating funding, education, and institutional partnerships, the company is establishing a framework for universities and the industry to improve digital asset innovation collaboratively.