To promote blockchain technology research and development, the Cardano Foundation has established a strategic relationship with PUC-Rio, one of Brazil’s most esteemed universities. The partnership, which was announced on April 15, is to promote innovation in a number of fields, such as blockchain economics, digital assets, finance, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
Using blockchain technology in the energy industry is a key component of the project. In a daring step, the collaboration will also involve Petrobras, the state-owned oil and gas behemoth of Brazil, in investigating how blockchain may improve energy production’s sustainability, efficiency, and transparency, especially for renewable energy.
Central to the collaboration is Ledger Labs, a research group within PUC-Rio dedicated to blockchain studies. Together with the Cardano Foundation, Ledger Labs will investigate real-world applications of blockchain in business, finance, and beyond.
“At the core of blockchain advancement are education and innovation,” said Frederik Gregaard, CEO of the Cardano Foundation. “Through our collaboration with esteemed academic institutions like PUC-Rio, the Cardano Foundation ensures that the next generation of developers, industry leaders, and regulators can harness this transformative technology to its fullest potential—creating solutions that address real-world challenges and drive positive global impact.”
The initiative goes beyond academic research. The Cardano Foundation will assist in the creation of Ada Labs for Blockchain Applications (A.L.B.A.) within PUC-Rio’s Ledger Labs—mirroring a similar project launched in Argentina at the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. These labs will serve as hubs for education, innovation, and collaboration.
“This partnership marks the beginning of the development of a series of use cases—not only in the energy industry but also in the field of philanthropy, with a focus on social impact projects,” said Leonardo Lima, Vice-Dean of PUC-Rio.
As part of their broader commitment to Latin America, the Cardano Foundation is also planning joint events, community engagement initiatives, and partnerships with other organizations in the region. The collaboration with PUC-Rio is their second major Brazilian partnership this year, following a recent alliance with SERPRO, Brazil’s largest public IT services provider.
“We look forward to working closely with PUC-Rio and Petrobras to help shape education and enterprise efforts for Brazil’s blockchain developers and innovators,” said Rafael Fraga, the Foundation’s LATAM Business Development Lead, who was excited about the future.
By utilizing academic cooperation and technological advancement to support blockchain’s role in addressing some of the most important issues facing the area, the Cardano Foundation is further solidifying its position in Latin America with this relationship.
