diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/account_generators.h b/src/cryptonote_basic/account_generators.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c1102db60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/account_generators.h
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2021, The Monero Project
+// 
+// All rights reserved.
+// 
+// Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are
+// permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+// 
+// 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of
+//    conditions and the following disclaimer.
+// 
+// 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list
+//    of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
+//    materials provided with the distribution.
+// 
+// 3. Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of its contributors may be
+//    used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific
+//    prior written permission.
+// 
+// THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY
+// EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
+// MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL
+// THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+// SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
+// PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+// INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
+// STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF
+// THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include "crypto/crypto.h"
+#include "crypto/generators.h"
+
+
+namespace cryptonote
+{
+
+enum class account_generator_era : unsigned char
+{
+  unknown = 0,
+  cryptonote = 1  //and ringct
+};
+
+struct account_generators
+{
+  crypto::public_key m_primary;    //e.g. for spend key
+  crypto::public_key m_secondary;  //e.g. for view key
+};
+
+inline crypto::public_key get_primary_generator(const account_generator_era era)
+{
+  if (era == account_generator_era::cryptonote)
+    return crypto::get_G();
+  else
+    return crypto::null_pkey;  //error
+}
+
+inline crypto::public_key get_secondary_generator(const account_generator_era era)
+{
+  if (era == account_generator_era::cryptonote)
+    return crypto::get_G();
+  else
+    return crypto::null_pkey;  //error
+}
+
+inline account_generators get_account_generators(const account_generator_era era)
+{
+  return account_generators{get_primary_generator(era), get_secondary_generator(era)};
+}
+
+} //namespace cryptonote