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What Is an XRP Trust Line?
A trust line is a connection between two XRP Ledger accounts that allows one to hold a token issued by the other. Trust lines are how the XRP Ledger supports tokens beyond native XRP — they represent a bilateral agreement that you’re willing to hold a specific token from a specific issuer.
Think of it this way: before you can hold RLUSD (Ripple’s USD stablecoin), a trust line token like SGB, or any other XRPL-issued asset in your wallet, your account must first establish a trust line with that token’s issuer. Without the trust line, your account simply can’t receive the token.
How Trust Lines Work
The Mechanics
A trust line consists of:
- Two accounts: Your account and the issuer’s account
- A currency code: The token identifier (e.g., “RLUSD”, “USD”, “BTC”)
- A limit: The maximum amount of the token you’re willing to hold from this issuer
- A balance: How much of the token you currently hold
The IOU Model
Tokens on the XRP Ledger are technically IOUs — if you hold 100 RLUSD via a trust line with Ripple’s issuer account, you have a claim on Ripple for 100 USD. This differs from native XRP, which has no issuer and cannot default. It means trust line tokens carry issuer risk: if the issuer fails, your token value could go to zero.
Why Do Trust Lines Require a Reserve?
Each trust line you create requires a 0.2 XRP owner reserve that is locked in your account. This prevents spam and ensures the network doesn’t become bloated with unused trust lines.
The reserve is returned (unlocked) when you delete the trust line. To delete a trust line, your balance in that token must be zero.
When Do You Need a Trust Line?
You need a trust line when:
- You want to receive or hold any XRPL-issued token (RLUSD, Bitstamp USD, SGB, etc.)
- You want to participate in XRPL AMM pools involving non-XRP tokens
- You want to trade tokens on the XRPL native DEX
- Someone sends you a token for the first time (they can’t send it until you set up the trust line)
You do not need a trust line to receive or send native XRP.
How to Create a Trust Line (Step by Step)
Using Xaman (Recommended)
- Open the Xaman app on your phone
- Tap the “+” button or go to Settings → Add Asset
- Search for the token you want (e.g., “RLUSD”)
- Review the issuer address carefully — make sure it matches the official issuer
- Set your trust limit (the maximum amount you’re willing to hold from this issuer)
- Confirm the transaction — this costs 0.2 XRP from your reserves and a ~0.00001 XRP transaction fee
Using XRPL.org Dev Tools (Advanced)
Developers can create trust lines programmatically using the TrustSet transaction type via xrpl.js or similar libraries.
How to Delete a Trust Line
- Ensure your balance in that token is exactly zero (send or swap away all tokens first)
- In Xaman, go to the token in your account and select “Remove trust line”
- Confirm — this will unlock the 0.2 XRP reserve associated with that trust line
Important: Verify Issuer Addresses
Trust lines are tied to specific issuer addresses. There can be many “USD” trust lines on the XRPL from different issuers. Always verify you’re setting up a trust line with the correct, official issuer address:
- RLUSD: Official Ripple issuer address (check ripple.com or XRPL.org)
- Bitstamp USD: Official Bitstamp issuer address
Scammers sometimes create fake tokens with similar names — always verify the issuer address, not just the currency code.
Trust Lines vs. Receiving XRP
| Feature | Native XRP | XRPL Token (via Trust Line) |
|---|---|---|
| Trust line required? | No | Yes |
| Reserve cost | None (beyond base reserve) | 0.2 XRP per trust line |
| Issuer risk? | No | Yes |
| How to receive | Share your address | Set up trust line first |
Conclusion
Trust lines are a foundational concept for anyone using the XRP Ledger beyond basic XRP transfers. They enable the XRPL’s token ecosystem — stablecoins, DeFi, RWAs, and more. Creating one requires 0.2 XRP in reserve (refundable when deleted) and should always be done by verifying the issuer address carefully. Xaman wallet makes the process straightforward for non-technical users.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.