The National Bank of Ukraine will begin putting into circulation a banknote with a denomination of 2000 hryvnias from September 4. It will become the highest denomination of the national currency and will continue the current series of the hryvnia.
The new note will have more than 20 security features. One of them is an optically variable SPARK element that changes color from purple to golden-green when the banknote is tilted.
The note will also be protected by a new “window” security thread, Anima Colour. Depending on the angle of tilt, it shows a motion effect, and the image of the Tryzub (trident) changes to the hryvnia sign. According to the NBU, this is the world’s first banknote to use a polychrome animated “window” thread to enhance security.
Why Ukraine is introducing a new denomination
The National Bank explains the appearance of the banknote by economic changes. Since 2019, when the 1000-hryvnia note entered circulation, the average salary in Ukraine has roughly tripled, while the price level has doubled.
Over this period, the amount of cash in circulation also increased: from almost 390 billion hryvnias in 2019 to more than 970 billion hryvnias as of July 1, 2026. At the same time, the structure of cash has changed — now 1000-hryvnia banknotes make up more than 55% of the total value of notes in circulation.
The NBU believes these indicators point to the need to introduce a larger denomination. At the same time, issuing 2000-hryvnia notes will not mean additional money printing. They will be put into circulation by exchange for non-cash funds or banknotes of other denominations.
Who is depicted on the 2000-hryvnia banknote
The obverse of the new note will feature a portrait of the Ukrainian poet, dissident and human rights activist Vasyl Stus. The NBU notes that he has become a symbol of resilience, freedom of spirit and the fight for Ukraine’s dignity.
For defending Ukrainian culture and his civic stance, Stus suffered persecution by the Soviet authorities, was convicted and died in detention in September 1985.
The NBU’s board decided to develop a banknote with the poet’s portrait on January 6, 2026 — on Vasyl Stus‘s birthday. The design was created by the staff of the Banknote and Coin Factory of the National Bank. The banknote will bear the signature of the current NBU head Andrii Pyshnyi.
When the new banknote will appear in banks
From September 4, the National Bank will begin distributing the new notes to banks. Financial institutions will be able to receive the banknotes and issue them to their customers.
The NBU has given banks and other institutions the opportunity in advance to prepare ATMs, payment terminals and cash-handling equipment to work with the new denomination.
At the first stage, they plan to produce several million 2000-hryvnia notes. Mostly they will be issued within planned volumes to replace worn and damaged notes of other denominations.
According to the NBU, the introduction of the new denomination will also help reduce costs for transporting, storing, processing and cash collection.
Earlier it was reported that Ukraine is preparing to introduce a new 2000-hryvnia banknote, and details about its timing and appearance were revealed.
Previously we wrote:
- Salary increased to 28.5 thousand, and debts – almost to 120 million: statistics for Mykolaiv region
- One thousand is already too small: the NBU introduces a 2000-hryvnia note with Vasyl Stus
- Ukraine will stop accepting old 1, 2, 5 and 10-hryvnia banknotes
- Small change is going: 10 kopecks are officially being withdrawn from circulation
- The National Bank issues 500-hryvnia banknotes into circulation bearing the signature of the head of the NBU Andrii Pyshnyi
