Ukraine's Largest State Bank Halts Euro Cash Imports After Hungarian Authorities Detain Its Couriers.

Cash Currency Deliveries from the EU Suspended

According to Novyny.live: Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank has stopped bringing physical cash from the European Union into the country. The move follows an incident in which Hungarian authorities illegally detained Ukrainian cash-in-transit personnel. Oschadbank CEO Yuriy Katsion stated that the institution is now exploring alternative delivery methods to ensure the safety of its operations.

Oschadbank is the only commercial bank in Ukraine licensed to import physical foreign currency from the EU. Previously, it supplied cash to 39 other Ukrainian banks, delivering a total of $1 billion and €800 million. While the National Bank of Ukraine continues to meet currency demand, these recent events could create ripple effects across the market.

Impact on Financial Stability

The bank also reports that the public has purchased approximately $1.45 billion and €387 million, while banks have bought back $522 million and €82 million from citizens. Katsion emphasized that

“we are working on new, safe transport and delivery routes that account for the risks.”

The disruption to currency imports is a critical issue for the stability of Ukraine's financial system, and Oschadbank is actively seeking solutions. Notably, as of January 1, 2026, the cost of SMS notifications for card transactions has risen to 40 hryvnias per month, though this change is unrelated to the current cash situation.

In light of these developments, Oschadbank will continue to monitor the situation and look for ways to ensure a steady supply of foreign currency into the country.

This decision by Oschadbank could significantly affect Ukraine's foreign exchange market, given the bank's crucial role in providing physical cash to other financial institutions. A prolonged halt in EU cash shipments might lead to difficulties in accessing foreign currency, potentially causing market instability. The bank's ongoing search for alternative solutions underscores its commitment to maintaining the country's financial stability.