Ripple has renewed support for New York University Abu Dhabi’s blockchain research program, extending its University Blockchain Research Initiative partnership through 2027.
Summary
- Ripple renewed NYU Abu Dhabi blockchain research funding, extending UBRI support through 2027 for researchers.
- NYU Abu Dhabi says the grant supports Volta expansion, fintech education, venture development and research.
- Ripple said total funding for its NYU Abu Dhabi partnership exceeded $1 million during 2024.
- Volta uses blockchain infrastructure to support trade among smallholder farmers in Ghana, with expansion planned.
- Ripple’s UBRI spans more than 60 universities across 27 countries and 1,500 research projects.
NYU Abu Dhabi announced the renewed grant on Aug. 10, while Ripple Middle East and Africa Managing Director Reece Merrick highlighted the extension on Aug. 12.
NYU Abu Dhabi described the arrangement as a renewed six year grant supporting work led by professors Raša Karapandža and Yaw Nyarko, co directors of its Center for Technology, Economics and Development. The university did not disclose the size of the latest funding tranche. Ripple previously said in 2024 that total funding for the NYU Abu Dhabi partnership had surpassed $1 million.
Ripple grant expands applied blockchain research at NYU Abu Dhabi
The next phase will focus on research into whether decentralized technologies can improve market efficiency, reduce trade barriers and support broader access to economic opportunities. NYU Abu Dhabi said the funding will also support fintech education, venture development and forums bringing together researchers, policymakers and industry participants.
Students will continue working with the XRP Ledger in courses and applied projects. Ripple Senior Director of University Partnerships Lauren Weymouth described NYU Abu Dhabi as UBRI’s “regional hub in the Middle East.” That description represents Ripple’s characterization of the partnership rather than an independent ranking of blockchain research institutions.
Ripple launched UBRI in 2018. Its current program page lists more than 60 university partners across 27 countries, more than 800 new or expanded fintech courses and 1,500 academic blockchain research projects. Ripple has also expanded university partnerships elsewhere, including a two year, $200,000 collaboration with Trinity College Dublin announced in 2025.
Volta project links blockchain research to Ghanaian trade
A central part of the renewed NYU Abu Dhabi work is the Volta Initiative, a serverless mobile application using blockchain infrastructure to support trade among smallholder farmers in Ghana. NYU Abu Dhabi said the next phase will expand Volta into additional regions and explore financial tools including credit and risk management mechanisms.
Karapandža said the renewed support allows researchers to combine economic theory with practical applications while participating directly in the XRP Ledger. Nyarko said the research aims to examine whether blockchain systems can reduce information gaps and improve trust in economic transactions. Those remain research objectives rather than established outcomes.
The grant will also support a hands on fintech course in which students design and test blockchain applications and early stage ventures. NYU Abu Dhabi said the program will continue hosting forums that connect academic research with policymakers and industry participants.
UAE expansion gives the partnership a wider regional role
The renewal comes as Ripple increases its commercial and regulatory presence across the UAE. As previously reported, the company opened a larger Middle East and Africa headquarters in Dubai in April 2026, giving it capacity to double its regional team. Ripple said the Middle East now represents a meaningful share of its global customer base.
The company has also expanded regulated products in the country. In related coverage, its RLUSD stablecoin surpassed $1 billion in Ethereum supply after receiving Abu Dhabi regulatory recognition. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority recognized RLUSD as an Accepted Fiat Referenced Token for use by eligible firms within Abu Dhabi Global Market.
Ripple became the first blockchain payments provider fully licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority in March 2025. The company has maintained its regional headquarters in Dubai since 2020, while the NYU Abu Dhabi relationship began in 2021.
The latest grant therefore extends an academic relationship alongside Ripple’s broader business expansion in the UAE. The immediate milestones are tied to the university program: expanding Volta, continuing XRP Ledger research, developing student ventures and carrying the renewed support through 2027. No new token launch, regulatory approval or market product was announced with the grant.
