The turnover of currency exchange transactions by individuals in Uzbekistan increased by 31%.
The Central Bank reported that in the first half of 2026, the turnover of currency purchases and sales between banks and the public reached $19.1 billion amid the growth of online exchange.
Currency exchange transactions by individuals in Uzbekistan increased by 31%.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) – From January to June 2026, the total volume of foreign currency purchases and sales between banks and individuals in Uzbekistan reached $19.1 billion, an increase of 31% (or $4.5 billion) compared to the same period last year. These figures were released by the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
According to the regulator, during the reporting period, banks purchased $12.3 billion in foreign currency from individuals, a 35% increase compared to the first half of 2025. The volume of currency sold by banks to individuals increased by 26%, reaching $6.8 billion.
On a quarterly basis, the volume of foreign currency purchases by banks increased from $4.052 billion to $5.857 billion in the first quarter and from $5.057 billion to $6.409 billion in the second. Sales volume increased from $2.424 billion to $3.202 billion in the first quarter and from $2.966 billion to $3.572 billion in the second.
The Central Bank notes that 59% ($11.2 billion) of all transactions, a 33% increase compared to the first half of 2025, were conducted through currency exchange offices. Remote online banking accounted for 39% ($7.5 billion) of transactions, representing a 27% increase. The remaining $404 million (a 61% increase) were processed through 24-hour currency ATMs. The online channel's share of total turnover increased from 37% in the first half of 2024 and 41% in 2025 to 39% in 2026, while the share of currency exchange offices was 59%, compared to 62% and 58%, respectively.
The Central Bank attributes the steady growth in the share of transactions conducted through remote channels and 24-hour currency ATMs to the population's expanding access to digital banking services.
According to the regulator, this trend is consistent with international practice: the development of digital financial services, along with the ability to conduct transactions around the clock, helps reduce transaction costs and improve the availability of financial services.
The volume of foreign currency purchased by banks from individuals exceeded the volume of currency sold to them by $5.5 billion, while in the same period of 2025, this figure was $3.7 billion.
The Central Bank emphasizes that the ratio of net currency supply from the population to total foreign exchange turnover increased from 26% in the first half of 2025 to 29% in the same period of 2026. This indicates an increasing role for household transactions in generating net supply in the domestic foreign exchange market.