Trinity College Dublin and Ripple join forces for blockchain innovation
Trinity College Dublin has partnered with Ripple, a prominent player in the crypto space, to launch an interesting blockchain research initiative.
The partnership, which will be funded for two years with $200,000 (€194,531), will tackle critical issues in cryptocurrencies, cybersecurity, and fintech. According to the Irish Independent, the research hub will be established at the Adapt Research Ireland Centre within the university.
Ripple, renowned for providing digital asset infrastructure to financial institutions, is supporting the initiative through its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI). This global program is dedicated to advancing blockchain innovation and education, and Trinity is the first Irish university to join the initiative.
At the helm of the project is Professor Hitesh Tewari from Trinity’s School of Computer Science and Statistics. He described the Ripple Blockchain Collaboratory as a space where students and researchers can delve into blockchain solutions for real-world challenges. “We are delighted to be the first university in Ireland to receive support through Ripple’s UBRI programme,” Professor Tewari stated. “The Ripple Blockchain Collaboratory will provide a platform for advancing blockchain research, enabling our students and staff to develop solutions to address real-world challenges in fintech, cybersecurity, and privacy.”
The collaboration will explore how emerging technologies are shaping the future of finance and technology, with a special emphasis on Ireland’s perspective. One of the key projects in the pipeline is a decentralised social media platform designed to offer users greater privacy and control by removing the need for a central authority.
A standout feature of the partnership is Trinity’s role in managing an XRP Ledger (XRPL) validator. XRP, Ripple’s cryptocurrency, uses the validator as a decentralised blockchain ledger. By hosting an XRPL validator, Trinity researchers will contribute directly to the global blockchain ecosystem and gain hands-on experience with decentralised technology.
Lauren Weymouth, Ripple’s senior director of university partnerships, highlighted the collaboration’s importance. “By hosting an XRPL validator at Trinity, we’re connecting the university to the heart of decentralised technology,” she explained. “Ireland has positioned itself as a leading hub for blockchain and cryptocurrency advancements, and Ripple’s UBRI program is thrilled to work with Trinity College to drive further innovation in this thriving ecosystem.”
Aside from research, the program will focus on engaging local blockchain and fintech groups. Its goal is to raise awareness of blockchain’s potential and encourage public discussion on cryptocurrencies through events such as seminars, conferences, and workshops.
Trinity now joins a global network of more than 50 universities from 26 countries that have partnered with Ripple’s UBRI since its launch in 2018. With a $50 million contribution, the program promotes global academic research, technical advancement, and blockchain innovation.
Notably, the University of Toronto, Canada’s largest university, joined UBRI as an XRPL validator last year, advancing payment processing technology. This partnership allows Trinity students to collaborate with industry professionals and attend Ripple’s global events, firmly establishing Ireland’s place on the blockchain innovation map.
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