Ripple has partnered with the University of California, Berkeley, to launch a new blockchain accelerator aimed at advancing institutional adoption of the XRP Ledger. The initiative, called the Digital Asset Xcelerator, or UDAX, follows a successful six-week pilot program conducted at the university and reflects a joint effort to strengthen real-world applications for blockchain technology built on XRPL.
The collaboration is supported through Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative, which focuses on bridging academic research with industry-driven innovation. Through UDAX, Ripple and UC Berkeley are working to support early-stage blockchain startups while expanding practical use cases for the XRP Ledger across financial markets.
Supporting Startups Building on the XRP Ledger
UDAX is structured as an accelerator program designed to assist emerging blockchain companies in the early stages of development. Participating startups receive technical mentorship, exposure to funding opportunities, and access to Ripple’s broader industry network. The program places a strong emphasis on projects that are actively developing solutions on the XRP Ledger, particularly those targeting institutional and enterprise use cases.
During the pilot phase, nine startups participated in the program, developing concepts and testing their products for market readiness. The initiative began with a summit held in Berkeley, where founders were introduced to XRPL tools, infrastructure, and potential applications within real-world financial systems. The objective was to help teams better understand how the ledger could be applied to practical challenges in payments, tokenization, and financial access.
Ripple has indicated that the collaboration combines its industry expertise with UC Berkeley’s academic resources to create a strong foundation for blockchain innovation. The company views the accelerator as a way to encourage new builders while advancing its broader strategy of driving institutional adoption of XRPL-based solutions.
Real-World Use Cases From the Pilot Program
Several participating startups demonstrated measurable progress during the pilot. CRX Digital Assets expanded its tokenized asset volume significantly while working within the accelerator framework, growing from $39 million to $58 million. The increase highlighted how blockchain-based infrastructure on the XRP Ledger can support scalable tokenization at an institutional level.
Another participant, Blockroll, used the XRP Ledger to introduce stablecoin-backed payment cards designed for freelancers in Africa. The company’s leadership explained that the product enables faster settlement of remittances from the United States into Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to quicker payments, the platform also provides users with access to financial tools such as stablecoin yield opportunities and tokenized equity exposure. These examples illustrated how XRPL can support financial products tailored to underserved regions.
Introducing the University Digital Asset Xcelerator (UDAX). 🎓@UCBerkeley and Ripple's University Blockchain Research Initiative launched a pilot program to accelerate the transition from academic innovation to institutional XRP utility: https://t.co/KMyVjPvXT2
The UDAX – UC…
— Ripple (@Ripple) January 16, 2026
Expanding XRPL Utility and Network Capabilities
Beyond the accelerator itself, the XRP Ledger continues to attract new projects that expand its functionality. Axiom is preparing to launch a prediction market on XRPL that will allow users to trade using RLUSD and XRP, further broadening the ledger’s role in decentralized financial applications.
Ripple has also introduced several network updates aimed at improving stability and supporting the development of scalable applications. One notable feature currently under development is batch transactions, which will allow multiple transfers to be grouped and processed together. This capability is expected to help businesses manage large transaction volumes more efficiently.
XRPL Labs has confirmed that work on batch transactions is underway. The feature is expected to simplify the creation of applications that rely on on-chain revenue models, making it easier for developers to design enterprise-grade financial products.
Strengthening Institutional Confidence in XRPL
As upgrades continue and accelerator-backed projects move toward production, Ripple expects institutional use of the XRP Ledger to increase. By combining academic collaboration, startup support, and ongoing network improvements, the UDAX initiative positions XRPL as a growing foundation for regulated and large-scale financial applications.
The partnership with UC Berkeley signals Ripple’s long-term commitment to fostering innovation through education while advancing the real-world adoption of blockchain technology across global markets.
