Trinity College in Dublin has become the first Irish institution to partner with Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative.

According to the Irish Independent, Trinity College will set up a blockchain research initiative at the Adapt Research Ireland Centre at the university to work on advancing blockchain technology, addressing challenges in cryptocurrency cybersecurity, and developing innovative fintech solutions.

As part of the collaboration, the university will receive $200,000 in funding over a period of two years and will also host an XRPL validator, a node that verifies transactions on Ripple’s blockchain network, enabling Trinity researchers to support its decentralized infrastructure.

The initiative will allow “students and staff to research and develop solutions that address real-world challenges,” said Hitesh Tewari, a professor at Trinity’s School of Computer Science and Statistics, who will lead the project.

One such project that will be researched and developed under the UBRI program is a decentralized social media platform designed to operate without a central authority, offering users greater privacy and control over their data. However, specific details about the project have not been disclosed.

Trinity College will also help promote blockchain adoption locally through educational programs and workshops.

Commenting on the development, Lauren Weymouth, Ripple’s senior director of university partnerships, highlighted Ireland’s position as a “leading hub for blockchain and cryptocurrency advancement,” adding that the collaboration with Trinity College aligns with Ripple’s mission to drive cutting-edge advancements in the blockchain industry.

Launched in 2018 with an initial $50 million commitment, Ripple’s UBRI bands with leading universities worldwide to support academic research, technical development, and innovation in blockchain, cryptocurrency, and digital payments.

Over the past five years, UBRI has partnered with more than 50 universities across twenty-six countries.

Last year, the University of Toronto, Canada’s largest university, onboarded the program and became an XRPL validator, working on advancements in payment processing technology.