Ripple’s $25 million donation to a crypto education fund has sparked discussions on blockchain projects’ influence in academia. In the latest episode of Byte-Sized Insight, Animoca Brands’ co-founder Yat Siu emphasizes the need for real-world use cases like student loans backed by DeFi to demonstrate crypto’s value proposition. Pencil Finance, supported by Animoca Brands and Open Campus, recently introduced a $10 million student loan initiative using blockchain technology for cheaper loans. Siu believes such initiatives are more impactful than mere donations, as they integrate crypto into the financing system, making it transparent and efficient. The goal is to onboard students early to enhance crypto literacy and adoption. Siu stresses the importance of moving beyond highbrow NFT art and meme coins to offer universally relatable educational use cases, such as student loans. Ripple’s donation is seen as a positive step, but Animoca’s approach aims to make crypto essential in education systems globally. To listen to the full Byte-Sized Insight episode, visit Cointelegraph’s Podcasts page, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Explore Cointelegraph’s range of shows for more insightful content.