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What does activating a XRP Wallet mean?

Why a new XRP wallet must be activated with a reserve amount before it can receive XRP, and how to avoid a failed withdrawal.

If you're sending XRP from Coinstash to a brand-new wallet, the wallet may need to be "activated" first. This article explains what that means and how to avoid a failed withdrawal.

What does activating an XRP wallet mean?

XRP wallets need to be activated before XRP can be sent to them. To activate a wallet, an amount of 10–20 XRP (depending on the wallet provider) needs to be sent to it. This is known as the reserved amount, and it's locked in the wallet.

This is a rule of the XRP network itself, not a Coinstash fee. It applies to new wallets you control, such as a hardware wallet or a self-custody app.

Why did my XRP withdrawal fail?

If a small test amount of XRP is sent to a wallet address that hasn't been activated, the crypto withdrawal will fail. The amount isn't enough to cover the reserve, so the network rejects the transfer.

How to send XRP to a new wallet

  1. Check with your wallet provider how much XRP is needed to activate the wallet.

  2. Make sure your first transfer is more than the reserved amount, so the wallet is activated and you have spendable XRP left over.

  3. Follow the usual withdrawal steps. See How to Withdraw Cryptocurrency from Coinstash.


⚠️ Important

  • Sending to an exchange? Include the destination tag. Exchanges often use a single XRP address for many customers and identify you by a destination tag (memo). If the receiving platform gives you one, you must include it, or your funds may not be credited.

  • The reserved amount stays locked in the wallet while the wallet exists, so you can't spend it.

  • Blockchain transfers can't be reversed. Double-check the address and tag before you confirm.

FAQ

Do I need to activate my Coinstash XRP wallet? No. This applies to the external wallet you're sending to.

Does the same apply to XLM? Yes, Stellar (XLM) wallets work in a similar way. See What does activating a XLM Wallet mean?

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