In being penniless, one has nothing (3)

I believe the answer is:

nil

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'one has nothing' is the definition.
'nil' can be an answer for 'nothing' ('nil' can be a synonym of 'nothing'). I'm not certain of the 'one has' bit.

'in being penniless' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'NIL' is hidden within 'being penniless'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nil that I've seen before include "Nothing, naught" , "duck" , "Nothing, zilch" , "Latin zero" , "Non-existent" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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