Crypto Just Bought Your Crayons: Ripple’s $25 Million Education Splash Will Shock You

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Right, gather ‘round, everyone, because Ripple has just thrown $25 million (or—plot twist—their very own cryptically named stablecoin, RLUSD) at America’s classrooms. Yep, two of the biggest education nonprofits, DonorsChoose and Teach For America, just got the kind of windfall that makes teachers silently cry with relief and school accountants pour a glass of something strong. 🍷

Mostly, this grand gesture will sprinkle RLUSD like digital confetti across classroom projects, after-school tutoring, and whatever genius ideas teachers are too tired to pitch at staff meetings. They’re rolling it out all year—just in time for Teacher Appreciation Week, because teachers need more than that mug with “World’s Okayest Educator” on it.

Now, I can hear you asking: why a stablecoin? Well, apart from sounding futuristic at wine bars, Ripple insists it’s fast and “efficient”. (Translation: they don’t have to count actual coins, and it’s harder for anyone to embezzle a pile of pixels.) This might actually be the first time crypto has done something people can explain to their grandmothers.

Apparently, stablecoins are all the rage with philanthropists who are bored of cash and want to brag about “blockchain-based transaction volumes” at dinner parties. At last count, these shiny coins are more than half of all charitable transfers that don’t involve a free tote bag.

Teachers power the future—and we’re proud to support them:

Starting with Teacher Appreciation Week, Ripple is committing $25M to U.S. classrooms through @DonorsChoose & Teach For America, supporting critical resources and financial literacy initiatives,…

— Ripple (@Ripple) May 5, 2025

The plan? Ripple’s cash/coin/whatever will grant a shopping spree for teachers who just want enough glue sticks to last till June. Meanwhile, their partnership bankrolls the Ignite tutoring program (because let’s be honest, kids need it), experimental “Reinvention Lab” schemes (Science! Danger!), and rookie teachers navigating day one (“I’m not crying, you’re crying”).

“Ripple has always championed financial and educational access for all, and we’re partnering with some of the most impactful organizations – DonorsChoose and Teach For America – to benefit thousands of classrooms across the U.S.,” – Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple

Of course, this isn’t Ripple’s first rodeo. (Or should we say crypto-carnival?) They’ve apparently scattered over $200 million worldwide since 2018, proving they’re not just in it for the memes. Employees are also “encouraged” to volunteer, which means some poor intern is definitely hand-delivering iPads to a kindergarten class right now.

So, next time a kid asks you what crypto does in the real world? Tell them: it buys Ms. Johnson a year’s supply of dry-erase markers, and possibly saves her sanity. 🎒✨

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2025-05-05 17:10