Ripple extends NYU Abu Dhabi blockchain partnership, renews UBRI funding through 2027

Ripple has renewed its collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), committing additional financial backing for blockchain research and education efforts through 2027 under its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI).

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Renewed partnership for blockchain innovation

Ripple, a prominent US-based blockchain company known for its digital payment protocols and development of the XRP Ledger, made the announcement through Reece Merrick, its managing director for the Middle East and Africa. The renewed agreement will maintain NYUAD’s position as a focal point for blockchain research and technological development in the region.

UBRI’s extended grant will fund projects overseen by NYUAD professors Raša Karapandža and Yaw Nyarko. Their current research investigates how decentralized networks might improve market efficiency and lower international trade barriers, with a strong focus on practical applications for developing regions.

Volta Initiative and regional expansion

An important element of the renewed partnership is the Volta Initiative, a blockchain-powered mobile platform aimed at helping smallholder farmers in Ghana conduct cross-border trade more efficiently. NYUAD stated that the next phase will expand the Volta platform into other geographical regions, continuing its mission to leverage blockchain solutions for economic empowerment.

Mini dictionary: Volta Initiative – A blockchain-based mobile application developed by NYUAD to improve market access for smallholder farmers, particularly in West Africa, by enabling decentralized, secure transactions.

Funding will also enable NYUAD to further integrate blockchain into its fintech education programs and venture development activities. Students are expected to design and test blockchain-based applications as part of their studies, while faculty continue to advance applied research using the XRP Ledger.

Academic and industry perspectives

Professor Karapandža noted that the renewed agreement provides NYUAD with the opportunity to combine advanced economic theory with tangible real-world applications, reinforcing the university’s reputation in applied blockchain research. Professor Nyarko stated that continued Ripple funding would empower the research team to study how blockchain technologies could help democratize access to economic opportunity.

Professor Nyarko explained that expanding blockchain-based solutions will allow greater participation in markets for people and communities previously excluded from many economic activities.

Lauren Weymouth, Ripple’s Senior Director of University Partnerships, identified NYUAD as UBRI’s primary regional hub for education and R&D efforts in the Middle East.

Ripple’s investment in the United Arab Emirates aligns with its long-standing commitment to advancing financial technology across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The company has established a strong presence in the region through collaborations with regulators, academic institutions, and local enterprises.

Ripple’s broader UAE strategy

In November, Ripple reported that its RLUSD stablecoin gained regulatory clearance from Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the emirate’s specialist financial zone. As a result, authorized firms operating under the ADGM regulatory framework are permitted to use RLUSD for financial transactions, increasing Ripple’s strategic foothold in the region.

The significance of Abu Dhabi in digital assets has grown in recent months. In May, BNY, an international financial and custody services group, announced a partnership with Finstreet and the ADI Foundation to provide regulated institutional crypto-asset custody within the ADGM zone.

Ripple’s expansion in the UAE also includes activity in Dubai. In April 2026, Ripple opened a new regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), following the approval of XRP for transactions within the DIFC’s operational framework in 2023.