Ripple has extended its support for New York University Abu Dhabi’s blockchain research program, continuing its partnership with the University Blockchain Research Initiative until 2027.
The renewed grant was announced by NYU Abu Dhabi on Aug. 10, with Ripple Middle East and Africa Managing Director Reece Merrick highlighting the extension on Aug. 12.
The six-year grant will support work led by professors Raša Karapandža and Yaw Nyarko, co-directors of NYU Abu Dhabi’s Center for Technology, Economics, and Development. The university did not disclose the exact amount of the funding, but Ripple had previously mentioned that the total funding for the partnership had exceeded $1 million by 2024.
Proud to see @Ripple’s UBRI renewing its partnership with @NYUAbuDhabi through 2027.
As someone based in the UAE, it’s especially meaningful to watch NYUAD continue strengthening its role as a regional hub for blockchain research and talent
development.The work led by…
— Reece Merrick (@reece_merrick) August 12, 2026
Ripple grant expands applied blockchain research at NYU Abu Dhabi
The focus of the next phase will be on researching whether decentralized technologies can enhance market efficiency, reduce trade barriers, and facilitate broader access to economic opportunities. The funding will also support fintech education, venture development, and forums that bring together researchers, policymakers, and industry participants.
Students at NYU Abu Dhabi will continue to work with the $XRP Ledger in their courses and applied projects. Ripple’s Senior Director of University Partnerships, Lauren Weymouth, referred to NYU Abu Dhabi as UBRI’s “regional hub in the Middle East.” This designation reflects Ripple’s view of the partnership rather than an objective ranking of blockchain research institutions.
UBRI was launched by Ripple in 2018 and currently has over 60 university partners in 27 countries, with more than 800 new or expanded fintech courses and 1,500 academic blockchain research projects. Ripple has also expanded its university partnerships, including a collaboration with Trinity College Dublin announced in 2025.
Volta project links blockchain research to Ghanaian trade
The Volta Initiative is a key part of NYU Abu Dhabi’s renewed work, involving a serverless mobile application that uses blockchain infrastructure to facilitate trade among smallholder farmers in Ghana. The next phase will expand the Volta Initiative to other regions and explore financial tools such as credit and risk management mechanisms.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi will combine economic theory with practical applications while directly engaging with the $XRP Ledger. The research aims to investigate whether blockchain systems can reduce information gaps and enhance trust in economic transactions, though these are still research goals rather than established outcomes.
The grant will also support a hands-on fintech course where students will design and test blockchain applications and early-stage ventures. NYU Abu Dhabi plans to continue hosting forums that connect academic research with policymakers and industry participants.
UAE expansion gives the partnership a broader regional role
The extension of the partnership comes as Ripple expands its commercial and regulatory footprint in the UAE. The company recently opened a larger Middle East and Africa headquarters in Dubai, allowing it to double its regional team. Ripple has stated that the Middle East now accounts for a significant portion of its global customer base.
Ripple has also introduced regulated products in the UAE, with its $RLUSD stablecoin surpassing $1 billion in Ethereum supply after receiving regulatory recognition in Abu Dhabi. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority has accepted $RLUSD as a Fiat Referenced Token for eligible firms within Abu Dhabi Global Market.
Ripple was the first blockchain payments provider to be fully licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority in 2025. The company has maintained its regional headquarters in Dubai since 2020, with the partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi beginning in 2021.
The renewed grant extends the academic partnership alongside Ripple’s broader business growth in the UAE. The immediate focus is on expanding the Volta Initiative, continuing research on the $XRP Ledger, developing student ventures, and supporting the partnership through 2027. There have been no announcements regarding new token launches, regulatory approvals, or market products associated with the grant.