Ripple will pour $50m into R&D at 17 academic institutions, including institutions in the US, UK, India and Brazil.

Blockchain payment services provider Ripple established an R&D initiative on Monday that will donate $50m to an international group of 17 institutions for studies into blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital payments.

Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) will operate as a set of collaborative university partnerships focused on research, technical development and innovation. The program aims to help universities capitalise on growing demand for fintech services.

In addition to funding, UBRI will provide academic partners with technical resources and expertise. Each…