Ripple and ADAPT to collaborate on Blockchain research at Trinity

Posted on: 20 January 2025

The collaboration is part of Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) and is supported by $200,000 in funding over two years.

Led by Professor Hitesh Tewari of Trinity’s School of Computer Science and Statistics, the Ripple Blockchain Collaboratory will serve as a hub for research and project-based learning, designed to foster technical innovation, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership. The programme will engage faculty and graduate students, addressing the role of emerging technologies in transforming the financial and technology sectors.  

Speaking about the collaboration, Professor Hitesh Tewari said: “We are delighted to be the first university in Ireland to receive support through Ripple’s UBRI programme. The Ripple Blockchain Collaboratory will provide a platform for advancing blockchain research, allowing our students and staff to research and develop solutions that address real-world challenges in FinTech, cybersecurity, and privacy.” 

The partnership will prioritise research development, advancing projects such as a decentralised social media network – a platform designed to operate without central authority, ensuring greater user privacy and control; post-quantum cryptography, which enhances security to resist future quantum computing threats; and zero knowledge proofs, a method for verifying data without revealing the underlying information.  

The ADAPT Research Ireland Centre will also manage an XPR Ledger (XPRL) validator, a critical component of the XRPL network. The XRPL is a decentralised blockchain ledger and XRPL validators evaluate transaction proposals from a specific set of trusted validators called a Unique Node List (UNL), augmenting the network’s security and decentralisation.  

Hosting an XRPL validator at Trinity will allow researchers to contribute directly to this global infrastructure, while exploring its potential for innovative blockchain solutions. This will also achieve UBRI’s mission to educate around innovative crypto technology – including the XRPL.   

The programme will also focus on building awareness and engagement within the blockchain and FinTech ecosystems. This will involve supporting seminars, conferences, and workshops to deepen public understanding of blockchain’s transformative potential. Students will also connect with industry leaders through activities such as attending Ripple’s global UBRI Connect event.  

“Ireland has established itself as a leading hub for blockchain and cryptocurrency advancements, and Ripple’s UBRI program is excited to collaborate with Trinity College Dublin and the ADAPT Centre to drive research and innovation in this thriving ecosystem,” said Lauren Weymouth, Senior Director of University Partnerships at Ripple. 

“By hosting an XRPL validator at Trinity, we’re connecting the university to the heart of decentralised technology, enabling groundbreaking work in areas like FinTech, cybersecurity, and next-generation blockchain solutions.”

The programme will also focus on the next generation of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to develop and apply these technologies. By fostering critical skills and supporting interdisciplinary research, the collaboration aims to position Trinity as a leader in blockchain innovation.

Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative has partnered with top institutions worldwide to drive academic research in blockchain. This new initiative reflects the growing demand for advanced blockchain solutions as industries explore ways to enhance security, transparency, and innovation in sectors like finance, healthcare, and public services.

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