Last weekend saw a sharp rise in the cost of cash dollars at both retail and wholesale exchange offices across Ukraine. In Kyiv over the weekend, wholesalers were selling the new-design cash dollar at 46.90–47.00 UAH, while in regional centers it was even more expensive.
On Monday in the first half of the day, the capital's wholesale exchange offices were selling cash dollars at 46.65–46.80 UAH for the regular (i.e., "white") dollar. New-design dollars (the so-called "blue dollar") cost at least 10–15 kopecks more. This is about 30–35 kopecks more than last Friday, but slightly cheaper than over the weekend. This is likely because today is a working day and bank branches are open and also selling currency. However, due to frequent air raid sirens, not everyone is able to visit a branch and buy the needed amount of dollars or euros.
Prices for large cash "American" sales vary significantly among regional centers: there is no single dollar price. In Odesa, the dollar sells for 46.80 UAH, in Dnipro — 46.90 UAH for a "white" dollar (2001–2006 design — Ed.). As for the "blue" dollar (2009–2021 design — Ed.), asking prices are: in Odesa — 47 UAH, in Zhytomyr — 47.30 UAH, in Kharkiv — 47.50 UAH, in Zaporizhzhia — 47.80 UAH. And these are wholesale prices; at retail exchange offices, dollars sell for even more.
Ukrainian banks as of 11:30 are selling dollars at prices ranging from 45.70 UAH at some PUMB branches to 46.90 UAH at Zaporizhzhia's Industrialbank. Zaporizhzhia has been holding the "palm for the most expensive dollar in the banking system" for several days now. As for the euro, the cheapest price is 51.10 UAH at PUMB branches across Ukraine.
According to the "Kurs Ukrainy" portal, the rush demand for cash currency is caused by a lack of currency in banks and will last until Tuesday or Wednesday. By Thursday, the situation will stabilize and the price hikes will stop.
