diff --git a/libwallet/src/slate_versions/mod.rs b/libwallet/src/slate_versions/mod.rs
index aca6c09..8a6efca 100644
--- a/libwallet/src/slate_versions/mod.rs
+++ b/libwallet/src/slate_versions/mod.rs
@@ -267,6 +267,32 @@ pub mod tests {
 		Ok(())
 	}
 
+	#[test]
+	fn create_slatepack_emits_lowest_version() -> Result<(), Error> {
+		set_local_chain_type(ChainTypes::Mainnet);
+		let packer = Slatepacker::new(SlatepackerArgs {
+			sender: None,
+			recipients: vec![],
+			dec_key: None,
+		});
+
+		// A slate carrying a payment proof needs V5 (the proof carries memo/timestamp
+		// that V4 can't represent), and the V5 fields survive the round trip.
+		let slate_with_proof = populate_test_slate()?;
+		assert!(slate_with_proof.payment_proof.is_some());
+		let recovered_v5 = packer.get_slate(&packer.create_slatepack(&slate_with_proof)?)?;
+		assert_eq!(recovered_v5.version_info.version, 5);
+		assert!(recovered_v5.payment_proof.unwrap().memo.is_some());
+
+		// Without a proof, V4 is sufficient and is emitted for interoperability with V4 peers.
+		let mut slate_no_proof = populate_test_slate()?;
+		slate_no_proof.payment_proof = None;
+		let recovered_v4 = packer.get_slate(&packer.create_slatepack(&slate_no_proof)?)?;
+		assert_eq!(recovered_v4.version_info.version, 4);
+
+		Ok(())
+	}
+
 	#[test]
 	fn slatepack_version_v4_v5() -> Result<(), Error> {
 		set_local_chain_type(ChainTypes::Mainnet);
diff --git a/libwallet/src/slatepack/packer.rs b/libwallet/src/slatepack/packer.rs
index d44f5c6..32c3e41 100644
--- a/libwallet/src/slatepack/packer.rs
+++ b/libwallet/src/slatepack/packer.rs
@@ -94,7 +94,19 @@ impl<'a> Slatepacker<'a> {
 
 	/// Create slatepack from slate and args
 	pub fn create_slatepack(&self, slate: &Slate) -> Result<Slatepack, Error> {
-		let out_slate = VersionedSlate::into_version(slate.clone(), SlateVersion::V5)?;
+		// Emit the lowest version that can represent this slate, for maximum
+		// interoperability. Only the (opt-in) payment proof needs V5 fields
+		// (timestamp/memo) that V4 cannot carry; everything else stays V4.
+		let (version, version_num) = if slate.payment_proof.is_some() {
+			(SlateVersion::V5, 5)
+		} else {
+			(SlateVersion::V4, 4)
+		};
+		// Keep the declared version consistent with the emitted structure so readers
+		// select the right variant.
+		let mut slate = slate.clone();
+		slate.version_info.version = version_num;
+		let out_slate = VersionedSlate::into_version(slate, version)?;
 		let bin_slate = VersionedBinSlate::try_from(out_slate).map_err(|_| Error::SlatepackSer)?;
 		let mut slatepack = Slatepack::default();
 		slatepack.payload = byte_ser::to_bytes(&bin_slate).map_err(|_| Error::SlatepackSer)?;