New US dollar notes disappear from Russian banks and currency exchanges

Moscow – Newly designed U.S. dollar bills are reportedly vanishing from banks and currency exchanges across Russia, according to local financial analysts and reports from exchange market insiders. The development has sparked growing concern among businesses and citizens who rely on access to U.S. currency for savings and international transactions.

The shortage is believed to be linked to tightening sanctions, disrupted supply chains, and mounting restrictions on foreign currency inflows to Russian financial institutions. Many exchange offices in Moscow and other major cities are either refusing to accept new-format U.S. bills or reporting that they have none available.

In recent years, the U.S. Treasury introduced upgraded security features on its dollar notes — particularly on $100 and $50 bills — to curb counterfeiting. These redesigned notes, which are in widespread circulation globally, are now noticeably absent in Russia’s official and black-market exchange channels.

Financial experts suggest the disappearance of these newer notes may indicate limited or halted deliveries from intermediary banks in neutral countries, as well as increased scrutiny over foreign cash flows into Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian citizens seeking U.S. dollars are reportedly turning to informal networks and peer-to-peer exchanges, where the demand has driven up the price of clean, high-denomination notes.

The Russian Central Bank has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but the situation further highlights the challenges the country’s financial sector faces under sustained international isolation and economic sanctions.