Connect.
Share. Inspire.

In-Person | Singapore | June 10-12, 2025

UBRI Connect will take place at Apex 2025, bringing together scholars, researchers, and thought leaders from the UBRI network to showcase blockchain initiatives, share knowledge, and inspire future research.
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UBRI Connect

UBRI Connect


UBRI Connect at Apex 2025 will take place from June 10 to 12 in Singapore. The program includes a pre-summit day on campus at National University of Singapore on June 10, followed by an exclusive welcome reception in the evening. The main UBRI Connect sessions will take place during Apex 2025 on June 11 - 12 at Raffles City Convention Centre.

June 10
10.00 AM - 4.00 PM
UBRI Connect Pre-Summit at National University of Singapore (NUS)

5.00 PM - 7.00 PM
UBRI Connect Welcome Reception (Location to be shared with confirmed attendees)

June 11 - 12
UBRI Connect at Apex 2025 at Raffles City Convention Centre



  • AI ​&​ Blockchain
  • A​pplications & Use Cases
  • B​lockchain for Good / Sustainability
  • D​eFi
  • Financial Inclusion
  • Interoperability
  • Stablecoins
  • XRP Ledger Features & Functionality

2024 Award Winners

  • UBRI Educator: Courses
    Roberto Caparroz (FGV)
    Raša Karapandža (UPenn)
  • UBRI Educator: Programs
    Will Cong (Cornell)
  • UBRI Innovator
    Agostino Capponi (Columbia)
  • UBRI Maverick
    University of Pennsylvania
    (Blockchain & Digital Assets Project)
  • UBRI Visionary
    Kenneth Chung (UPenn)
  • XRPL Contribution
    Walter Hernandez Cruz (UCL)
  • UBRI Legend
    Yifen Tian (UMich)
  • UBRI Impact
    Emma Nasseri (KU)

Venue

Venue

The UBRI Connect Pre-Summit will be hosted at the National University of Singapore.

The UBRI Connect at Apex 2025 will be happening at the Raffles City Convention Centre Singapore.

National University of Singapore

National University of Singapore, COM3
11 Research Link, Singapore 119391
Raffles City Convention Centre Singapore

80 Bras Basah Rd, Singapore 189560

Agenda

Agenda

Registration & Networking

Registration & Networking

Jun 10, 2025 10:00 AM

Welcome Remarks

Welcome Remarks

David Schwartz & Lauren Weymouth - Ripple

Jun 10, 2025 11:00 AM

From Research to Blockchain: How UBRI Research Is Shaping the XRP Ledger

Lightning Talk

From Research to Blockchain: How UBRI Research Is Shaping the XRP Ledger

Vitos Tumas - Ripple

Jun 10, 2025 11:10 AM

Web3 & Tokenization: Redefining Identity, Finance, and Asset Liquidity in the Digital Economy

Panel

Web3 & Tokenization: Redefining Identity, Finance, and Asset Liquidity in the Digital Economy

Aaron Gwak - Libeara, Alvin Chia - Northern Trust, Evy Theunis - DBS Bank, Rajesh Sreenivasan - Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP | Moderator: Jungpil Hahn - National University of Singapore

Jun 10, 2025 11:20 AM

DREX and the Future of Digital Finance with Tokenization

Panel

DREX and the Future of Digital Finance with Tokenization

Marco Marques - Universidade de São Paulo, Roberto Caparroz - Fundação Getulio Vargas | Marcos Simplicio - Universidade de São Paulo

Jun 10, 2025 11:45 AM

Networking Lunch

Networking Lunch

Jun 10, 2025 12:10 PM

Regulator Mindset & Geopolitical Implications

Panel

Regulator Mindset & Geopolitical Implications

Francesco Pierangeli - UK CBT & University of Birmingham, Ikhlaq SIngh Sidhu - IE University, Leid Zejnilovic - Nova School of Business and Economics | Moderator: Eric van Miltenburg - Ripple

Jun 10, 2025 1:10 PM

Regulatory Harmonization Across Borders

Panel

Regulatory Harmonization Across Borders

Marco Botta - European University Institute, Dimitrios Psarrakis - The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | Moderator: Rahul Advanti - Ripple

Jun 10, 2025 1:35 PM

Generative AI for Finance Beyond LLMs

Presentation

Generative AI for Finance Beyond LLMs

Will Cong - Cornell University

Jun 10, 2025 2:00 PM

Stablecoins: A Diverse Landscape

Presentation

Stablecoins: A Diverse Landscape

Gilles Chemla - Imperial College London

Jun 10, 2025 2:20 PM

Tea Break & Demos

Tea Break & Demos

Jun 10, 2025 2:40 PM

Microstructure of Automated Market Makers and Connections to Limit Order Books

Lightning Talk

Microstructure of Automated Market Makers and Connections to Limit Order Books

Brian Zhu - Columbia University

Jun 10, 2025 3:10 PM

Strengthening DeFi and CBDC Security with Real-Time Defense and Smart Contract Protection

Lightning Talk

Strengthening DeFi and CBDC Security with Real-Time Defense and Smart Contract Protection

Xun Deng - University of Toronto

Jun 10, 2025 3:25 PM

Blockchain Systems in the Post-Quantum Cryptographic Landscape

Lightning Talk

Blockchain Systems in the Post-Quantum Cryptographic Landscape

Andrea Gangemi - Politecnico di Torino & Università di Trento

Jun 10, 2025 3:40 PM

Analysis and Optimization of Robustness in XRPL Consensus Protocol

Lightning Talk

Analysis and Optimization of Robustness in XRPL Consensus Protocol

Kevin Zhou - Carnegie Mellon University

Jun 10, 2025 3:55 PM

Closing Remarks

Closing Remarks

Lauren Weymouth - Ripple

Jun 10, 2025 4:10 PM

UBRI Awards Ceremony

UBRI Awards Ceremony

Emma Nasseri & Ken Weber - Ripple

Jun 10, 2025 4:15 PM

UBRI Welcome Reception at Caffe Fernet

UBRI Welcome Reception at Caffe Fernet

Jun 10, 2025 5:00 PM

Speakers

2025 Speakers

Vito Tumas

Software Engineer
Ripple

Yuliya Guseva

Professor of Law
Rutgers Law School

Leid Zejnilovic

Associate Dean for AI and Digital Transformation
Nova School of Business and Economics

Aaron Gwak

Founder & CEO
Libeara

Rajesh Sreenivasan

Partner
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP

Alvin Chia

Head of Digital Assets Innovation
Asia Pacific at Northern Trust

Evy Theunis

Head of Digital Assets
DBS

Kevin Zhou

Undergraduate Student
Carnegie Mellon University

Francesco Pierangeli

Deputy Director & Assistant Professor
UK CBT & University of Birmingham

Brian Zhu

Student
Columbia University

Marco Botta

Professor
European University Institute

Xun Deng

Phd Student
University of Toronto

Roberto Caparroz

Professor
Fundação Getulio Vargas

Jungpil Hahn

Professor
National University of Singapore

Sangita Gazi

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
The Wharton School (BDAP), University of Pennsylvania

Marcos Simplicio

Professor
Universidade de São Paulo

Ikhlaq Singh Sidhu

Dean of Science & Technology
IE University

Marco Antonio Marques

PhD Student
Universidade de São Paulo

Andrea Gangemi

Research Fellow
Politecnico di Torino & Università di Trento

Will Cong

The Rudd Family Professor, Faculty Director of FinTech
Cornell University

UBRI NETWORK

The UBRI Network

  • Australian National University
  • Arizona State University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Delft University
  • Duke University
  • EBS Universität
  • EPITA
  • ETH Zurich
  • European University Institute
  • Fundacao Getulio Vargas
  • Georgetown University
  • IE Madrid
  • Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
  • Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM)
  • International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad
  • Korea University
  • Kyoto University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Morgan State University
  • Nanyang Technological University
  • National University of Singapore
  • Northeastern University
  • NOVA School of Business and Economics
  • NYU Abu Dhabi
  • Princeton University
  • Portland State University
  • Reykjavik University
  • Royal University of Bhutan
  • Rutgers University
  • Stanford University
  • Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson)
  • Trinity College Dublin
  • Tsinghua University
  • Universidad de Sao Paolo (USP)
  • University College London
  • University of Bern
  • University of California Berkeley
  • University of Cape Town
  • University of Kansas
  • University of Luxembourg
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Nicosia
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • University of Oregon
  • University of Oxford
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • University of Tokyo
  • University of Trento
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Waterloo
  • University of Wyoming
  • University of Zurich
  • Victoria University
  • Yonsei University

UBRI CONNECT