XRP Ledger developers propose creating wallets with zero XRP for stablecoin payments

Introduction

XRP Ledger (XRPL) developers have introduced an experimental transaction called SponsoredAccountCreate. The change would allow a sponsoring account to cover the mandatory reserve and transaction fees for newly created wallets, meaning users could open accounts with a zero‑XRP balance. This capability is aimed at simplifying stablecoin‑only payment flows and reducing the upfront cost for businesses and AI‑driven agents that need large numbers of wallets.

How SponsoredAccountCreate Works

• Current reserve model: XRPL requires each account to hold a minimum reserve of 1 XRP, which remains locked for the life of the account. For a service that creates thousands of wallets, the reserve quickly becomes a significant capital outlay.
• Proposed transaction: The SponsoredAccountCreate transaction lets an existing, funded account (the sponsor) create a new account and pay the 1 XRP reserve on its behalf. The new account starts with a zero‑XRP balance, while the sponsor’s balance reflects the reserved amount.
• Fee sponsorship: The broader Sponsored Fees and Reserves framework also permits the sponsor to pay transaction fees for the new account, further lowering barriers for end users.
• Validator approval: The code change is under review and depends on a separate sponsorship amendment that, as of the latest checkpoint, has not yet secured the required validator votes.

Practical Benefits for Stablecoin Payments

1. Lower onboarding costs – Companies can launch thousands of wallets without pre‑funding each with XRP, freeing capital for other operational needs.
2. Seamless stablecoin experience – Users can receive and send RLUSD or other stablecoins immediately after account creation, without first acquiring XRP to meet the reserve.
3. Support for automated agents – AI‑driven payment bots and other software can operate with sponsored accounts, simplifying integration and reducing the need for manual funding steps.
4. Preserved security model – Sponsorship does not give the sponsor control over the new account’s private keys, maintaining user sovereignty while covering network costs.

Outlook and Next Steps

The proposal is still in a pull‑request stage, with a few open code‑review items and pending validator votes. If approved, the feature would be rolled out on mainnet alongside the broader sponsorship amendment. Developers and businesses interested in leveraging zero‑XRP wallets should monitor the XRPL governance dashboard for vote updates and test the transaction on the testnet once it becomes available.

--- The ability to create zero‑XRP wallets could streamline stablecoin payments on XRPL, but its success hinges on community consensus and the final implementation of the sponsorship framework.