XRP News Today: Ripple Forges Academic Alliances to Build Blockchain 'Internet of Value'

Ripple has launched a new advisory council to accelerate research in blockchain technology, decentralized finance (DeFi), and quantum computing, marking a strategic expansion of its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI). The move, announced on October 27, 2025, underscores the company's commitment to bridging academic innovation with real-world fintech applications, according to a Bitcoin.com report. The council, composed of leading cryptographers and researchers from institutions such as Trinity College Dublin, Nanyang Technological University, and the University of Luxembourg, will focus on advancing the XRP Ledger (XRPL) through projects like zero-knowledge virtual machines and quantum risk mitigation, the report said. David Schwartz, XRP Ledger co-creator and Ripple's CTO, emphasized the importance of collaboration between researchers and engineers to drive the ecosystem forward, the report added.

A key component of Ripple's academic strategy is its partnership with the University of San Francisco (USF). The institution will operate an XRPL validator hub and study blockchain policy through its Center for Law, Tech, and Social Good, according to a CoinEdition article. This collaboration aims to analyze how state-level legislation influences blockchain innovation, with plans to publish policy recommendations for public use, the article said. USF's Department of Computer Science will also provide students with hands-on experience managing blockchain infrastructure, aligning with Ripple's broader mission to integrate education with technology, the article noted.

Ripple's financial commitment to research has also evolved. Over $1.5 million in renewed grants for 2025 will be disbursed in RLUSD, Ripple's U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, the Bitcoin.com report noted. This shift to stablecoin funding reflects the company's push to operationalize digital asset systems for universities, with partners like Bitso and Engiven facilitating compliant on- and off-ramps, the report added. Recipients include Duke University, UC Berkeley, and the University of São Paulo, all advancing blockchain and fintech research, the report listed.

The advisory council's formation coincides with Ripple's broader institutional expansion. The acquisition of Hidden Road, rebranded as Ripple Prime, has positioned XRP and RLUSD as key components in prime brokerage services, according to a TradingView article. SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao praised the move, stating it would "significantly boost both XRP and RLUSD utility" by integrating them into custody solutions and stablecoin rails, according to a U.Today report. Institutional adoption is further supported by Ripple's acquisition spree, including GTreasury, Rail, and Metaco, which collectively enhance cross-border payment capabilities, the TradingView piece added.

Market analysts are closely watching how these developments influence XRP's trajectory. Recent price action shows resilience, with the token trading between $2.30 and $2.50, the TradingView article noted. James Wynn, a prominent crypto trader, has invested a "significant portion" of his portfolio in XRP, citing its potential to revolutionize banking systems. Meanwhile, Ripple's academic initiatives aim to solidify XRP's role in a global "Internet of Value," leveraging partnerships and research to drive adoption, the Bitcoin.com report concluded.