For episode 231, we welcome Eric van Miltenburg, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Ripple.
Ripple has been one of the most consistent and long-standing players exploring how blockchain can be used for good; from financial inclusion and education, to disaster relief, climate action, and now impact finance powered by stablecoins.
In today’s conversation, we explore Ripple Impact’s mission and strategy, unpack some of their most ambitious initiatives including a $25 million RLUSD commitment projected to generate over $1 billion in long-term impact, and look at how blockchain is reshaping philanthropy from one-off donations into sustainable, scalable systems of change.
We also dive into Ripple’s work with nonprofits, universities, and global partners, and discuss why infrastructure, coordination, and long-term thinking are essential if we want Web3 to live up to its promise.
In today’s episode you’ll learn:
🌊 Impact finance is about more than funding, it’s about building durable systems: Ripple’s approach goes beyond writing checks by pairing capital with expertise, partnerships, and infrastructure. By investing in long-term solutions like small business lending and workforce development, a single commitment can create compounding “ripple effects” across entire ecosystems.
🤝 The strongest impact happens when technology empowers those already doing the work: Rather than reinventing the wheel, Ripple partners with nonprofits, universities, and local businesses that understand their communities best. Blockchain becomes a force multiplier, helping these organizations operate more efficiently, transparently, and at greater scale.
💸 Stablecoins are emerging as the global rails for impact finance: RLUSD is a powerful example of how stablecoins can unlock faster, more transparent, and more inclusive funding flows. As programmable, borderless money, stablecoins are becoming one of blockchain’s clearest real-world use cases for philanthropy, financial inclusion, and sustainable impact.
PIPE gDAO is leveraging blockchain for their University Real World Asset IP Launchpad that helps bring groundbreaking ideas from lab to market. By joining the Pipe Associate Network (aka PAN), associates can create a profile highlighting their skills, be notified of opportunities, and then contribute fractional work to pre-IPO companies in return for equity and tokens.
Check out their Linktree for links to all of their socials so you can get involved and join this growing community!
02:25 - To kick things off, I’d love to start with your journey. What first brought you into Web3, and how did that path ultimately lead you to your role as SVP of Strategic Initiatives at Ripple?
05:45 - Ripple has been one of the most active and long-standing players in the blockchain for good space. For listeners who may be new to Ripple Impact, can you give us a high-level overview of the mission, the pillars you focus on, and what makes this work distinct?
09:45 - One of the headline initiatives this year is Ripple’s $25M RLUSD commitment to Accion Opportunity Fund and Hire Heroes USA, which is projected to generate over $1B in long-term impact. Tell me more about this initiative and what inspired it.
14:40 - Ripple has also made major commitments to education and financial inclusion, including $25M to DonorsChoose and Teach For America. What outcomes have you seen so far, and how do these investments fit into Ripple’s long-term vision of economic access?
19:15 - Ripple recently expanded its philanthropic strategy through Impact Finance, including work with Mercy Corps Ventures, World Central Kitchen, and UC Berkeley’s Lab for Inclusive Fintech (LIFT). How does blockchain enhance humanitarian aid, financial resilience, and access in emerging markets?
25:20 - Let’s talk about RLUSD. Beyond being a stablecoin, it’s also becoming a tool for philanthropy and impact finance. How do you see RLUSD unlocking new forms of funding, transparency, and global access that weren’t possible before?
32:15 - The University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) is one of the biggest academic investments in Web3 involving 60 universities & 1,500+ research projects. Why is academia such an essential part of Ripple’s strategy, and what innovations excite you most?
38:30 - Ripple is also deeply involved in sustainability initiatives, including large-scale carbon market infrastructure projects like Centigrade. What role do you see blockchain playing in advancing climate solutions and transparent carbon markets?
43:20 - For listeners who want to support Ripple’s initiatives, get involved with this work, or learn more, where can they go, and what’s your call to action for them?
45:35 - From everything you’ve seen across Ripple’s global partnerships; from disaster relief and small business lending to academic innovation and climate action; which blockchain use case for social impact do you feel has the most potential to create positive change?
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While we may discuss specific web3 projects or cryptocurrencies on this podcast, please do not take any of this as investment advice, and please make sure to do your own research on potential investment opportunities, or any opportunity. We host a variety of guests on this podcast with the sole purpose of highlighting the social impact use cases of this technology. That being said, Crypto Altruism does not endorse any of these projects, and we recognize that, since this is an emerging sector, some may be operating in regulatory grey areas, and as such, we cannot confirm their legality in the jurisdictions in which they operate, especially as it pertains to decentralized finance protocols. So, before getting involved with any project, it’s important that you do your own research and confirm the legality of the project. More available HERE.
