Categories: BlockchainInsights

Ripple makes major blockchain R&D play

“As globalisation increases, so does the demand for technological solutions and talent to solve the world’s hardest financial problems, such as retail remittances,” says Ripple SVP of Business Operations, Eric van Miltenburg.

The donation is aimed at funding research and development in blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital payments at the likes of the University of North Carolina, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania.

Ripple states the project is in response to the increasing demand for IT experts with knowledge of blockchain and cryptocurrency. It adds that last year alone over 4,500 related jobs were posted on LinkedIn, a 150% increase from 2016.

A few university research projects will involve Ripple’s technology and the cryptocurrency XRP, although this will not be a requirement.

Olivier Acuña

Olivier has been writing for over 30 years. He has been based in six countries working for major news outlets including the Guardian, UPI & AP. He has covered massive earthquakes, presidential elections, immigration, and taken photos standing in the middle of shootouts between drug cartels, gone undercover to investigate organised crime, interviewed presidents, former presidents, heads of international organisations.