University Digital Asset Xcelerator Graduates First Cohort
Ripple and UC Berkeley have partnered to launch the University Digital Asset Xcelerator (UDAX), with its first cohort of XRPL startups graduating in San Francisco on January 16, 2026.
This initiative is designed to foster the growth of startups building on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), with the ultimate goal of increasing its institutional adoption and expanding its market presence. The program aims to nurture promising ventures, potentially impacting the broader XRP ecosystem and advancing the tokenization of assets within capital markets.
Key Figures and Startup Impact
Prominent figures such as Chris Larsen and David Schwartz participated in events related to the UDAX program. Their involvement highlights Ripple's dedication to supporting blockchain startups and broadening the reach of the XRPL platform.
The initiative is already demonstrating its impact on the XRPL ecosystem, with startups like BlockBima actively exploring new stablecoin opportunities for remittance services. Ripple's strategic efforts underscore a strong focus on establishing institutional partnerships.
Startup Success and Funding Confidence
While specific financial disclosures have not been made public, participating startups have reported substantial improvements in their product maturity and a significant boost in their confidence regarding fundraising capabilities.
Sadiq Isiaka, CEO of Blackroll, shared his perspective on the program's benefits: "With RLUSD, Blockroll can offer additional institutionally accepted stablecoins that streamline remittance settlements from Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading source (the U.S.) and enable financial access use cases such as stablecoin-backed debit cards that work globally. This also unlocks world-class wealth-building opportunities for African users, including stablecoin yields and tokenized U.S. stocks."
Future Implications for XRPL and Blockchain
The UDAX initiative is poised to drive increased adoption of XRPL within institutional markets. Collaborations of this nature are vital for the expansion of the blockchain ecosystem and could encourage other universities to develop similar accelerator programs.
The long-term impact of UDAX on the financial and technological sectors may manifest in a wider array of use cases for XRPL. By providing support to emerging startups, Ripple is actively contributing to the enhancement of the blockchain landscape, fostering greater adoption and spurring further innovation.