Currency trading by population surges as banks report $33.6 billion turnover

The data reflects a significant expansion in currency trading activity among the population, driven by both in-person and digital channels.

In 2025, banks purchased $21.6 billion in foreign currency from individuals, marking a 34 percent increase year on year. This figure significantly exceeded the amount sold by banks to individuals, which rose by 27 percent to $12 billion.

As a result, the volume of foreign currency bought from the population surpassed sales by $9.7 billion.

According to the Central Bank, this surplus contributes to additional supply in the domestic foreign exchange market and plays an important role in maintaining currency balance.

A breakdown of total currency operations shows that traditional exchange offices remain dominant, but digital services are rapidly gaining ground.

Of the total transaction volume:

• 57 percent, or $19.3 billion (+25 percent), was conducted through currency exchange offices;
• 41 percent, or $13.8 billion (+43 percent), was carried out via remote services – including online platforms;
• the remaining $574 million (+36 percent) was processed through 24/7 automated teller machines.

The Central Bank noted that higher volumes of foreign currency sold by the population help strengthen liquidity in the domestic market, supporting overall exchange rate stability.