XRP NFTs NFTs on the XRP Ledger
The XRP Ledger has native NFT support through XLS-20 — offering faster, cheaper, and greener NFTs than Ethereum. Here's everything you need to know about creating, buying, and trading NFTs on the XRPL.
The XRP Ledger supports native NFTs through XLS-20, activated in October 2022. XRPL NFTs are built directly into the protocol — no smart contracts required. This means minting costs a fraction of a cent (vs $10-100+ on Ethereum), transfers settle in 3-5 seconds, and royalties are enforced at the protocol level (not optional). The XRPL NFT ecosystem is growing with marketplaces, collections, and creator tools.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Standard | XLS-20 (native) |
| Activated | October 2022 |
| Minting Cost | ~$0.0005 (fraction of a cent) |
| Transfer Speed | 3-5 seconds |
| Royalties | Protocol-enforced (mandatory) |
| Ethereum Minting Cost | $10-100+ (gas fees) |
| Energy per NFT Mint | 0.0079 kWh (negligible) |
| Top Marketplaces | xrp.cafe, Sologenic, OnXRP |
What Are NFTs on the XRP Ledger?
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) on the XRP Ledger are unique digital assets created using the native XLS-20 standard. Unlike Ethereum, where NFTs are created via smart contracts (ERC-721/1155), XRPL NFTs are built directly into the blockchain protocol. This means the ledger itself understands what an NFT is — it's not an add-on, it's a first-class feature.
This architectural choice gives XRPL NFTs several inherent advantages: lower costs, faster transfers, protocol-level royalty enforcement, and native support for features like burn capabilities and transfer fees. It's part of the XRPL's broader strategy of building key features natively rather than relying on smart contracts.
The XLS-20 Standard: How It Works
XLS-20 defines four key transaction types for NFT operations on the XRPL:
Create a new NFT on the XRPL. Define metadata URI, transfer fee (royalty), and flags like burnable or transferable.
Create a buy or sell offer for an NFT. Offers are stored on-ledger and can be accepted by the counterparty.
Accept an existing buy or sell offer, completing the NFT transfer and automatically distributing royalties.
Permanently destroy an NFT. Only the owner or issuer (if flagged) can burn. Useful for ticketing and expiring assets.
One of XLS-20's most powerful features: royalties are enforced at the protocol level. When an NFT creator sets a transfer fee (up to 50%), it's automatically collected on every secondary sale. Unlike Ethereum where marketplaces can bypass royalties, XRPL royalties cannot be circumvented. This is a major advantage for creators.
Advantages of XRPL NFTs
Near-zero minting costs
Mint an NFT for a fraction of a cent. No gas fee spikes or network congestion surcharges.
3-5 second settlement
NFT transfers and sales complete in seconds with guaranteed finality. No waiting for block confirmations.
Protocol-enforced royalties
Creator royalties are mandatory on every secondary sale. Can't be bypassed by marketplaces or users.
Energy-efficient
Minting and trading NFTs on XRPL uses negligible energy — 250,000x less than pre-merge Ethereum.
No smart contract vulnerabilities
Native protocol implementation means no smart contract bugs or exploits. The ledger enforces all NFT rules.
Built-in burn mechanism
NFTs can be permanently destroyed by owners or issuers. Useful for tickets, access passes, and time-limited assets.
XRPL NFTs vs Ethereum NFTs
| Feature | XRPL (XLS-20) | Ethereum (ERC-721) |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation | Native protocol | Smart contract |
| Minting Cost | <$0.01 | $10-100+ |
| Transfer Speed | 3-5 seconds | 12-15+ seconds |
| Royalties | Protocol-enforced (mandatory) | Optional (often bypassed) |
| Max Royalty | Up to 50% | No standard limit |
| Burn Support | Native (by owner/issuer) | Via smart contract |
| Marketplace Size | Growing (smaller) | Largest ecosystem |
| Developer Tools | Growing | Very mature |
| Collection Size | Smaller but growing | Millions of NFTs |
| Energy per Mint | Negligible | Moderate (post-merge) |
XRPL NFT Marketplaces
xrp.cafe
One of the most popular XRPL NFT marketplaces. Clean interface, collection browsing, and easy buying/selling.
Sologenic
Combines NFT marketplace with DEX functionality. Supports both NFTs and tokenized assets on the XRPL.
OnXRP
Community-driven marketplace with collection launchpad, rarity tools, and social features.
nftmaster.com
Growing XRPL NFT platform with creator tools and collection management.
How to Mint an NFT on the XRP Ledger
1. Set up an XRP wallet
You need an XRPL wallet with at least 1 XRP for the reserve requirement. Xumm (now Xaman) is the most popular choice.
2. Prepare your asset
Create your digital artwork, music, or content. Upload it to IPFS or another decentralized storage solution.
3. Choose a minting platform
Use a marketplace like xrp.cafe or Sologenic, or mint directly using XRPL developer tools.
4. Configure your NFT
Set the metadata URI, transfer fee (royalty percentage), and flags (burnable, transferable, etc.).
5. Sign and submit
Approve the minting transaction in your wallet. Your NFT will be created on-ledger in 3-5 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you create NFTs on XRP?
Yes. XLS-20 enables native NFTs on the XRP Ledger since October 2022. They're built into the protocol — no smart contracts needed.
How much does it cost to mint an NFT on XRP?
About 0.00001 XRP (fraction of a cent). Dramatically cheaper than Ethereum's $10-100+ gas fees.
What is XLS-20?
XLS-20 is the NFT standard for the XRP Ledger. It enables native NFT creation, trading, royalties, and burning at the protocol level.
What are XRPL NFT advantages?
Cheaper minting, faster transfers (3-5 sec), energy-efficient, and built-in royalty enforcement at the protocol level.
Where can I buy XRP NFTs?
XRPL marketplaces like xrp.cafe, Sologenic, OnXRP, and nftmaster.com. Also via peer-to-peer offers on the XRPL DEX.
Continue Learning
Explore the XRPL Ecosystem
NFTs are just one feature of the XRP Ledger. Discover DeFi, tokenized assets, and more.
Last updated: July 27, 2026. Written by the AllAboutXRP Editorial Team. Sources: XRPL.org, XLS-20 documentation, xrp.cafe.
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