XRPL Reserve Requirements: Current 1 XRP Minimum
Every XRP wallet needs a minimum balance. Here's exactly why, how much, and how to get it back.
Every XRP wallet needs 1 XRP base reserve to activate and 0.2 XRP per object (trust lines, offers) as owner reserve. This prevents ledger spam. Reserves are locked, not lost — recoverable by removing objects or deleting the account. Validators can vote to lower reserves as XRP price rises.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Base Reserve | 1 XRP (account activation) |
| Owner Reserve | 0.2 XRP per object |
| Recoverable? | Yes (remove objects or delete account) |
| Purpose | Anti-spam / ledger bloat prevention |
| Effective Since | December 2, 2024 |
| Changeable? | Yes (validator vote) |
Base Reserve: 1 XRP
The base reserve is the minimum XRP needed to activate (fund) an XRPL account. Currently set at 1 XRP, this amount is locked in the account as long as it exists. You cannot send it in a normal transaction while the account remains active.
If accounts were free, an attacker could create huge numbers of empty accounts and increase the ledger's storage burden. The 1 XRP reserve gives every account a real economic cost.
Owner Reserve: 0.2 XRP Per Object
Beyond the base reserve, most ledger objects your account owns require an additional 0.2 XRP owner reserve. Objects include:
| Object Type | Reserve Each | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Trust Line | 0.2 XRP | Holding RLUSD or other issued tokens |
| DEX Offer | 0.2 XRP | Open limit orders on the XRPL DEX |
| Escrow | 0.2 XRP | Time-locked or conditional XRP |
| Payment Channel | 0.2 XRP | Streaming payment channels |
| Signer List | 0.2 XRP | Multi-signature setup |
| NFT Page | 0.2 XRP | Holding NFTs on the XRPL |
Example: If you have 5 trust lines and 3 DEX offers, your total reserve is 1 XRP (base) + 1.6 XRP (8 objects × 0.2) = 2.6 XRP locked.
Why Reserves Exist
Every account and object takes storage space in the ledger. Reserves ensure each entry has a real economic cost.
Without reserves, attackers could create unlimited accounts, trust lines, and offers to degrade network performance.
Validators must store the entire ledger. Reserves ensure the ledger grows at a sustainable rate.
Owner reserves incentivize users to remove objects they no longer need, keeping the ledger efficient.
How to Minimize Locked XRP
Remove Unused Trust Lines
If you no longer hold a token and the balance is zero, remove the trust line to free 0.2 XRP.
Cancel Open DEX Offers
Old limit orders that haven't filled? Cancel them to recover the 0.2 XRP owner reserve each.
Close Payment Channels
Unused payment channels usually lock 0.2 XRP. Close them when no longer needed.
Delete the Account
An eligible account can use AccountDelete to send its remaining XRP elsewhere, minus the special deletion transaction cost.
Reserve History
| Period | Base Reserve | Owner Reserve | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2021–December 1, 2024 | 10 XRP | 2 XRP | Previous network settings |
| December 2, 2024–present | 1 XRP | 0.2 XRP | Current network settings |
The current values took effect after validators approved lower network settings. Reserve requirements can change again through the XRPL consensus process, so check the official documentation before funding a new account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a wallet need 1 XRP?
The 1 XRP base reserve activates your XRPL account and prevents ledger spam by giving every account an economic cost.
Can I get the 1 XRP back?
You can delete an eligible account using AccountDelete and send its remaining XRP to another account, but the deletion transaction currently costs 0.2 XRP and has protocol conditions.
What is the owner reserve?
Usually 0.2 XRP locked per ledger object your account owns, including trust lines, DEX offers, escrows, and payment channels.
Can reserve amounts change?
Yes. Validators can vote to change reserves. The current 1 XRP base reserve and 0.2 XRP owner reserve took effect on December 2, 2024.
How do I minimize locked XRP?
Remove unused trust lines, cancel open DEX offers, close payment channels, and remove expired escrows. Each removed object frees 0.2 XRP.
Is the reserve lost forever?
No — it's locked, not lost. You can recover it by removing objects (owner reserve) or deleting your account (base reserve).
Continue Learning
Understand the XRP Ledger
Reserves are just one piece of the XRPL puzzle. Learn how the whole system works.
Primary sources
- XRPL account reserve documentation
- XRPL: Lower Reserves Are in Effect (December 2024)
- XRPL AccountDelete transaction reference
Last updated July 27, 2026 by the AllAboutXRP Editorial Team.
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