Currency life hacks: KIT Group analysts shared ways to save money when buying dollars and euros

Ukrainians are actively buying foreign currency to save money and protect their savings from devaluation and inflation. Analysts from KIT Group explained how and when it is best to buy dollars and euros to save on currency spreads.

Demand for foreign currency in Ukraine is growing. According to the NBU, in January 2026, Ukrainian citizens bought currency equivalent to $1.445 billion and sold $931 million. Thus, the volume of purchases exceeded the amount of sales by $514 million. Against the backdrop of an unstable hryvnia and its repeated sharp declines, currency is perceived as a guarantee of reliable savings. This is stated by the "Minfin" publication.

Journalists analyzed various spreads for the dollar in banks and network exchange offices (the difference between the buying and selling rates). For example, in PrivatBank and PUMB, the spread was UAH 0.6 (or 1.4%), while in exchange offices, spreads were lower. According to KIT Group, the buying rate for the US dollar was UAH 43.2/$, and the selling rate was UAH 43.45/$. Thus, the spread was UAH 0.25 (or 0.58%).

Traditionally, in Ukraine, the spread for buying dollars is lower than for euros. As analysts from the financial marketplace KIT Group explained to "Minfin," the reason is the lower popularity of this currency compared to the dollar, and the higher probability of sharp fluctuations in the euro due to frequent changes in its exchange rate on the world market.

To save on spreads, you need to know some subtleties of currency exchange operations, as spreads can differ depending on the day of the week and time of day.

On weekends, when the interbank market is not working, spreads are usually wider, so buying currency at this time is less profitable for the client. The smallest spreads are mostly observed on weekdays, especially in the first half of the day (usually from 10:00 to 17:00), when banks and financial markets are actively working. At this time, the rate is more favorable for the client.

In their opinion, currency should not be bought during moments of high volatility in the interbank market, as this is when the least favorable conditions are observed.

KIT Group experts noted that currency exchange is a serious financial operation, so it should be carried out exclusively in specialized institutions — banks and financial companies with the appropriate license. In addition, for a profitable currency purchase, you can use the 60-minute booking service. Among the important details, experts also name the reputation of the institution: solid network operators have more loyal spreads and more favorable rates than individual private kiosks.

Earlier, KIT Group analysts noted that the key external factors influencing the dollar exchange rate remain expectations regarding the Fed's monetary policy and the preservation of a relatively strong dollar in world markets. At the same time, the domestic currency market is under pressure from seasonal growth in budget expenditures and controlled devaluation of the hryvnia with the active participation of the regulator.