- Ripple Forms XRPL Advisory Council to drive innovation in Zero-Knowledge Proofs, DeFi, and quantum security.
- Analyst Stern Drew highlighted that the council’s experts and focus areas mirror DNA Protocol’s ZK and privacy initiatives.
- Though unconfirmed, analysts suggest Ripple could be integrating privacy-focused systems like DNA Protocol’s framework.
Crypto markets buzzed last week after Ripple unveiled a new Advisory Council, aimed at advancing innovation on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The group will be led by David Schwartz, Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer and one of the original co-creators of the XRPL.
According to Ripple’s official statement, the council’s mission is to push forward research and development in Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), decentralized finance (DeFi), and quantum security — three key areas shaping the future of blockchain scalability and privacy.
World-Class Cryptographers Join the Initiative
The newly appointed council includes several of the world’s most respected cryptographers and academic researchers:
- Dr. Hitesh Tewari, Trinity College Dublin – building ZK systems on XRPL
- Dr. Yebo Feng, Nanyang Technological University – researching AI and blockchain privacy
- Dr. Hyunok Oh, Hanyang University – specializing in zk-SNARKs and quantum-proof cryptography
- Dr. Radu State, University of Luxembourg – focused on smart contracts and network security
Their expertise suggests Ripple is deepening its focus on advanced cryptographic frameworks, potentially laying the foundation for next-generation privacy and interoperability features.
Also Read: XRP Plot Twist: Is This What Brad Garlinghouse Was Working for All Along?
“Something Strange Happening,” Ripple’s Advisory Team Mirrors DNA Protocol’s Core Research
Crypto commentator Stern Drew sparked intrigue on X after drawing striking parallels between Ripple’s new advisory council and the team behind DNA Protocol, a privacy-focused blockchain initiative developing Zero-Knowledge identity, private settlement layers, and encrypted verification through its $XDNA token.
“These are the same research domains and technologies that DNA Protocol has been quietly developing behind the scenes,” Drew wrote. “Every name, every specialization, every topic matches perfectly. It looks less like a coincidence and more like coordination.”
Drew went further, suggesting that DNA Protocol’s framework could be quietly merging into Ripple’s architecture, potentially forming the private settlement layer for institutional and cross-border use cases on XRPL.
🚨 Something strange is happening inside Ripple. 👀
A brand-new Advisory Council has just been unveiled, led by David Schwartz, the legendary Co-Creator of the XRP Ledger.
Officially, it is meant to “advance technical innovation” on XRPL with focus on Zero-Knowledge Proofs,… pic.twitter.com/Z30EweeujE
— Stern Drew (@SternDrewCrypto) November 1, 2025
Speculation Mounts: Research Collaboration or Strategic Integration?
While Ripple has not confirmed any partnership with DNA Protocol, the overlap in focus areas, ZKPs, privacy, and quantum-resistant systems is sparking speculations.
Analysts note that Ripple’s move comes amid a wave of institutional demand for confidential blockchain solutions, aligning with Ripple’s long-term vision of becoming the global liquidity and settlement backbone for both public and private financial networks.
If true, such an integration could mark a major step toward hybrid on-chain privacy systems, where Ripple’s infrastructure handles liquidity and settlement, while DNA Protocol’s ZK framework ensures secure, verifiable privacy across networks.
Outlook: Ripple Quietly Reinventing On-Chain Privacy?
For now, Ripple’s announcement remains framed as a research initiative. Still, market observers believe it may signal the beginning of a deeper technological evolution inside the company — one that merges enterprise-grade liquidity with cutting-edge cryptographic privacy.
As Stern Drew concluded, “Ripple is building the rails for global liquidity. DNA Protocol might be the hidden layer being incubated from within.” Whether coincidence or coordination, Ripple’s latest move has reignited discussion around its long-term roadmap and whether the next era of blockchain privacy may be quietly unfolding inside Ripple’s own ecosystem.
Also Read: Monica Long Reveals Ripple’s Growing Power in Real-Time Global Payments
