XRP Ledger developers propose zero-XRP wallet creation

Developers on the XRP Ledger are testing a new transaction type called ‘SponsoredAccountCreate’ that would allow users to open blockchain wallets without an initial XRP deposit. Under current network rules, every active account must maintain a base reserve of 1 XRP to prevent spam and excessive network growth.

The proposal would allow a sponsoring account to create a new wallet while assuming responsibility for the required reserve. This shift would move the economic burden of account creation from individual end-users to businesses or payment platforms. Such a change could significantly lower barriers for stablecoin payments and applications, as companies could manage reserves through a single sponsoring account rather than requiring thousands of customers to purchase XRP before interacting with the network.

The functionality builds upon the XLS-68 framework, which includes sponsored fees and reserves. While the proposal has been submitted for testing, it requires validator approval before it can be activated on the mainnet.