- Cardano’s collaboration leverages PUC-Rio’s ledger lab to explore decentralized financial, tokenized assets, and DAO governance structures.
- The partnership is part of Cardano’s broad efforts in Latin America following a similar collaboration with SERPRO in 2025, consistent with ongoing initiatives in Argentina and the Middle East.
The Cardano Foundation forums a research-based alliance with the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC-RIO) in Rio de Janeiro, one of Latin America’s leading academic institutions. It focuses on promoting innovation in blockchain technology, particularly the energy sector.
Check out our latest partnerships from the Cardano Foundation
Over the past decade, both partners have collaborated with Brazilian state oil company Petrobras on previous engagement on blockchains applied to such production, distribution and sustainability energy projects. This partnership will primarily focus on renewable energy solutions and the role of blockchain in optimizing sector efficiency, transparency and security.
The initiative will be implemented through PUC-Rio’s Ledger Labs, a specific center for the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT) applications in business, finance and governance. The Cardano Foundation also supports ALBA programs hosted in the lab. This is consistent with existing work with the University of Technology Nacional in Argentina.
“This collaboration will focus on social impact and lay the foundation for impactful use cases in both energy and philanthropy,” added Leonardo Lima, PUC-RIO vice president and head of Ledger Labs. He said, “It’s a great joy to work with one of the world’s leading blockchains, famous for their security and ESG principles.”
Some areas of research we focus on include decentralized finance (DEFI), tokenized assets, and DAO governance structures. It also aims to create a sustainable academic environment to support the education of future developers, entrepreneurs, or policy thinkers, such as Brazil.
In response to the news, Frederick Gregard, CEO of the Cardano Foundation, said, “Education and innovation are at the heart of blockchain advancements.” He added further
Through collaboration with respected academic institutions such as PUC-Rio, the Cardano Foundation ensures that next generation of developers, industry leaders and regulators can make the most of this transformative technology.
Motivation for expansion and future plans
The new partnership is second to the Brazilian facility in 2025, the year the foundation expanded its regional presence. Cardano’s first announcement in March was with Brazilian mass IT giant cell pro. The initiative is part of an expanded portfolio of partnerships featuring links to Petrobras and many other organizations in Latin America and the Middle East, including UTN and Dubai Blockchain Centres in Argentina.
Rafael Fraga, the Latam business development leader at the Cardano Foundation, emphasized the importance of education in Cardano’s mission. He pointed out,
We look forward to working closely with PUC-Rio and Petrobras to shape the education of Brazilian blockchain developers and innovators and corporate efforts.
For further context, as part of the agreement, the partnership will also launch joint programs and public events. These initiatives aim to promote social innovation and accelerate the adoption of blockchain through joint projects. Last week, several reports suggest a potential partnership between Cardano and Ripple.
