Ripple, the blockchain giant, made a significant move on Monday by adding four European institutions to its esteemed University Blockchain and Research Initiative (UBRI). These partner universities have joined hands with Ripple to bolster blockchain research and education throughout the European region.
The firm’s official announcement highlighted the inclusion of four new universities: Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), EPITA (France), IE Madrid (Spain), and the University of Trento (Italy). This expansion takes Ripple’s count of European partners to a robust 14.
IE Madrid, one of the newly onboarded partners, is gearing up to host a three-day workshop, focusing on virtual asset regulation, applied research, entrepreneurship, and corporate transformation.
“We are delighted to partner with Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative to address the future of virtual asset regulation and the technology needed to support it,” said Ikhlaq Sidhu, Dean at IE University, on the partnership.
Ripple Has Invested $11 Million in Blockchain Education and Research
Since 2014, Ripple has pledged an impressive $11 million to its partners, dedicated to advancing blockchain education and research. This financial support has been instrumental in fostering numerous collaborations, including one with a UK-based education program that fosters XRPL-related projects and encourages network innovation and adoption.
Eric van Miltenburg, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, believes that Europe is well-poised to accelerate blockchain education. He emphasized, “It’s crucial to equip the next generation with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to leverage blockchain technology for real-world applications.”
While Europe is often lauded for its swift progress in crypto regulation compared to the United States, the United States still maintains a lead in terms of investor enthusiasm and widespread adoption.
