If you’ve never heard of them, Abra is a financial service and technology firm that operates an all-in-one cryptocurrency wallet and exchange app. The company is already rolling out the new trading feature using Bitcoin and now, the CEO for Abra, Bill Barhydt has said that they will be integrating the same functionality for XRP in the future.

Yes for xrp noexact date — Bill Barhydt (@billbarhydt) February 6, 2019

As you can see above, the tweet came in response from XRP Nation who responded to Barhydt’s reply saying “That’s awesome news. Keep up the great work!! #xrpcommunity”.

Speaking of XRP and Ripple, the payment protocol firm has announced 11 new partnerships with leading universities around the world. The company has a University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) which was designed in order to provide grants and support programs to help grow the blockchain ecosystem.

The list goes of the new partners to come on board with Ripple are as follows:

Carnegie Mellon University

Cornell University

Duke University

Georgetown University

University of Kansas

University of Michigan

Morgan State University

National University of Singapore

Northeastern University

University of Sao Paulo

Institute for Fintech Research, Tsinghua University

These partners will be using the UBRI resources in unique ways by developing curriculums, expanding courses, hosting conferences and awarding scholarships to faculty and students in pursuing work in the blockchain, cryptocurrency, digital payments and other related subjects.

Ever since the UBRI was launched, it has gathered a lot of new connections with new partners and has created an international network for advancing and accelerating the field.

As Ripple state in the announcement of these 11 new partners:

“These programs, driven by the university partners, are poised to prepare the next generation of engineers, business leaders, entrepreneurs and other professionals to apply these technologies in practice. In addition, these programs will increase positive awareness of the transformative impact that blockchain technology will have across all industries.”

Throughout this year, several UBRI partners will be hosting and collaborating at workshops and conferences centred on the topic including blockchain, cybersecurity, cryptography and regulatory issues.

The SVP of Global Operations at Ripple, Eric van Miltenburg spoke on the matter saying: