At NUS FinTech Lab, we empower students to explore, experiment, and innovate. Recently, our interns Ong Si Hui (Ariel) and Do Trong Uy (Wyn) represented the Lab at major XRPL programs in New York and Paris, gaining hands-on blockchain experience and global perspectives.
Ariel – XRPL Student Builder Residency 2.0, New York
Three days of travel from Singapore to New York between 13 Aug and 15 Aug, 2025 were just the beginning of Ariel’s journey at the XRPL Student Builder Residency 2.0.
Over four weeks, she transformed an idea into RePawn, the first gold-pawn shop on the XRP Ledger. The project allows gold to be pledged as collateral, automates compliance with XRPL Hooks, and manages risk on-chain.
Her demo at Demo Day showcased the potential of blockchain to traditional finance and highlighted the collaborative innovation of student builders worldwide.
“The late-night debugging, constant feedback, and collaborative spirit made every challenge worth it.”
Wyn – XRPL Core Dev Bootcamp, Paris
Across the world in Paris, Wyn dove into the XRPL Core Dev Bootcamp. Over two intense weeks from 11 July to 25 July, 2025, he explored the inner workings of the XRP Ledger—running validator nodes, understanding consensus mechanisms, and navigating ledger structures.
Beyond technical skills, the bootcamp offered inspiration. “Meeting cryptographers and engineers who are shaping the future of blockchain was eye-opening,” Wyn says. Collaborative projects and mentorship helped him see not just how the ledger works, but how innovation happens—through curiosity, persistence, and teamwork.
“Meeting cryptographers and engineers shaping the future of blockchain was eye-opening. It reinforced the value of curiosity and continuous learning.”
Learning, Exploring, Innovating
NUS FinTech Lab strives to offer opportunities for our interns to explore, experiment, and grow in global settings. We continue to empower our students to push boundaries, turn ideas into reality, and shape the future of FinTech.