According to CryptoPotato, Ripple has announced the addition of four new European institutions to its University Blockchain and Research Initiative (UBRI). The partner universities, which include Trinity College Dublin, EPITA in France, IE Madrid in Spain, and the University of Trento in Italy, will help promote blockchain research and education across the region. This brings Ripple's total European partners up to 14.

IE Madrid plans to host a three-day workshop with students on virtual asset regulation, focusing on applied research, entrepreneurship, and corporate transformation. Ripple has committed $11 million to related partners since 2014 to advance blockchain education and research. One of its existing collaborations is with a U.K.-based education program to build on XRPL-related projects while encouraging innovation and adoption of the network.

Eric van Miltenburg, SVP of Strategic Initiatives at Ripple, said that Europe is 'well positioned' to accelerate blockchain education. He emphasized the importance of arming the next generation with the knowledge and practical skills needed to build on blockchain technology for real-world utility. While European nations are often praised for moving faster on crypto regulation than their American counterparts, the United States still appears far ahead of Europe in terms of investor appetite and adoption.