Ripple’s blockchain-based global settlements network launched its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) in June of last year.

Ripple is collaborating with leading universities around the world to support and accelerate academic research, technical development and innovation in blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital payments.

Ripple’s university partnerships team is working with UBRI’s 30 academic partners to help them identify research, technical projects and other academic activities they will pursue as part of the UBRI program.

December 2nd we got news from Emi Yoshikawa that Tokyo has officially launched a validator.

The University of Tokyo The University of Tokyo abbreviated as Todai, is a public research university located in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1877 as the first imperial university, it is one of Japan’s most prestigious universities.

The university has 10 faculties and enrolls about 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are international students. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is among the top echelon of the select Japanese universities assigned additional funding under the MEXT’s Top Global University Project to enhance Japan’s global educational competitiveness.