From Ripple to DeFi student loan financing: Crypto’s expanding role in education

Can blockchain redefine the way student loans are financed and repaid? On the heels of Ripple’s $25 million donation to Teach for America, we connect the dots between initiatives building the infrastructure for Web3 adoption. In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu breaks down how Pencil Finance is using Web3 to reimagine education, from crypto-backed student loans to onchain reputations. 

Siu argues that education may be one of crypto’s most impactful use cases, not just financially, but socially and politically. Plus, we explore how Open Campus plans to onboard the next generation through grassroots efforts, and why he says teachers are the world's most under-recognized content creators.

(00:37) This week’s topic: crypto’s role in education
(01:00) Ripple’s $25M donation to Teach for America
(02:40) Donations vs building Web3 infrastructure 
(03:00) Animoca backs $10M in DeFi student loan liquidity
(04:10) Yat Siu on DeFi’s real-world impact
(05:47) Beyond lending: Web3’s broader potential in education
(07:30) Why student loans are crypto’s “hero use case”

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.