Morgan State University FinTech Center Receives $1.05M in Continued Support From Blockchain and Crypto Solutions Leader Ripple

Renewed Funding Reaffirms Collaborative Commitment to Leading the Advancement of Blockchain and FinTech Research and Education

Baltimore – The National FinTech Center at Morgan State University announces the receipt of a 3-year, $1,050,000 grant from Ripple, a leader in enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions, for the continued support of the Center and its advancement of blockchain and financial technology (FinTech) research, education and programming. This latest round of funding builds upon Ripple’s initial investment in Morgan’s FinTech Center, first announced in 2019. The partnership between Morgan and Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) has played a pivotal role in furthering the application and understanding of blockchain, cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, and other FinTech areas within the University and the extended network of Historically Black Colleges and/or Universities (HBCUs) collaborating with the Center.

“This generous $1,050,000 grant is not just an investment; it's a catalyst that propels our ability to innovate, collaborate, and prepare our students to be at the forefront of the FinTech revolution,” said Ali Emdad, Ph.D., interim dean of the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management and founding director of the National Center for the Study of Blockchain and FinTech. “The ongoing partnership with Ripple stands as a beacon, illuminating the path toward a transformative educational experience that aligns with the evolving landscape of the global economy.” 

For half a decade, Ripple’s UBRI has proven its dedication to creating inclusive opportunities that stretch the limits of educational research and provide a rich learning atmosphere. Ripple reaffirms its commitment to promoting these evolving technologies through philanthropic efforts, research endeavors, and shared expertise in renewing its partnership with Morgan. 

“Ripple’s commitment to working closely with universities like Morgan State and its broad network of HBCUs is rooted in our vision that blockchain technology is a force for good,” said Lauren Weymouth, Ripple’s senior director of university partnerships. “As crypto and blockchain integrate further into our daily lives, these university partnerships become absolutely essential – we’re empowering the next generation with the tools they need to shape our financial future.”  

The collaboration will ensure the continuation of the National FinTech Center at Morgan State University, focusing on leveraging cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrency to revolutionize finance and technology sectors. The multi-year grant from Ripple will bolster research, education, faculty and student technical projects, ecosystem development, and operational support.

Additionally, it will support faculty research that bridges blockchain technology with critical fields like data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Through the partnership, Morgan will also be able to foster a range of educational workshops, facilitate student-led initiatives within blockchain clubs, support a FinTech solution incubator, and host national conferences to elevate the collective understanding of the financial sector's evolution. 

Since its launch in 2018, which was partly due to increased Morgan students’ interest in crypto-economics and blockchain, the Center has served as the hub of the HBCU Blockchain and FinTech Network. In its capacity as a hub, the Center actively engages students and faculty throughout the network to bolster innovation and enhance the transfer of knowledge and leadership skills. The FinTech Center is housed within Morgan’s Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management.

Added Dr. Emdad, “This partnership is geared towards equipping a new generation of business thinkers and innovators, ensuring they are well-versed in FinTech and blockchain technologies to meet upcoming industry demands." 

About Morgan
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 certificate and academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

About Ripple
Ripple is the leader in enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions, transforming how the world moves, manages, tokenizes and stores value. Ripple’s business solutions are faster, more transparent, and more cost effective - solving inefficiencies that have long defined the status quo. And together with partners and the larger developer community, we identify use cases where crypto technology will inspire new business models and create opportunity for more people. With every solution, we’re realizing a more sustainable global economy and planet - increasing access to inclusive and scalable financial systems while leveraging carbon neutral blockchain technology and a green digital asset, XRP. This is how we deliver on our mission to build crypto solutions for a world without economic borders.

###

Media Contacts:
Larry Jones or Dell Jackson, for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022

or

Kailey Medzadourian, for Ripple