You’ve probably heard the rumors floating around about a "new 100 dollar bill" hitting your wallet this year. Honestly, if you check social media, you’d think the government was planning to turn our cash into plastic or replace Ben Franklin with a hologram of a crypto coin.
But the reality? It’s a lot more boring—and yet way more interesting—than the clickbait suggests.
The U.S. government is indeed in the middle of a massive currency overhaul, a project they’ve dubbed the Catalyst Series. But if you’re waiting for a fresh "Benjamin" to show up at the ATM next week, you might want to settle in. You’re going to be waiting a while.
The 2026 Timeline: It's Not What You Think
Let's clear up the biggest misconception right away. While 2026 is a massive year for the U.S. Treasury, the new 100 dollar bill isn't actually the star of the show.
The Federal Reserve and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) have a very specific "staggered" rollout. They don't just dump all the new designs at once because, quite frankly, that would break every vending machine and self-checkout kiosk from Maine to California.
Here is the actual schedule the government is sticking to:
- 2026: The new $10 bill (The first to launch).
- 2028: The new $50 bill.
- 2030: The new $20 bill (Yes, this is the one likely to feature Harriet Tubman).
- 2032: The new $5 bill.
- 2034: The new $100 bill.
So, the "new" hundred you’re holding right now? That design—technically known as the Series 2009A—is basically going to be the gold standard for another decade. The BEP is currently printing billions of these notes in 2026 just to keep up with demand, but they aren't the "redesign" everyone is whispering about.
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Why Everyone Is Talking About 2026
If the $100 isn't changing until 2034, why is the "new 100 dollar bill" trending in 2026?
Mainly because the Series 2026 print order is massive. The Federal Reserve just ordered up to 5.1 billion notes for this year alone. A huge chunk of that—nearly 900 million notes—are hundreds.
There's also some confusion with international news. For instance, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago actually is releasing a "Series 2026" $100 note this year. When people see those headlines, they assume it’s the U.S. dollar. It’s not.
Also, we’re seeing new signatures. If you look at a bill printed right now, it likely features the signatures of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Treasurer Lynn Malerba. For collectors, a "new" signature makes it a "new" bill, even if the portrait of Ben Franklin hasn't moved an inch.
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How to Spot a Fake (Because the Scammers are Getting Better)
Even though the design isn't changing this year, the tech inside the bill is still incredibly sophisticated. Counterfeiters are starting to use AI-driven printers to mimic the look of cash, but they still can't get the "feel" right.
If you’re handling a $100 bill, don’t just look at it. You have to interact with it.
- The 3-D Security Ribbon: That blue strip in the middle isn't printed on the paper. It's woven through it. If you tilt the bill back and forth, you’ll see bells change into 100s. If you move the bill side-to-side, the bells move up and down. It’s a weird optical illusion that’s nearly impossible to fake with a home printer.
- The Bell in the Inkwell: There’s a copper-colored inkwell next to Ben. Inside it is a green bell. When you tilt it, the bell changes from copper to green, making it look like it's appearing and disappearing.
- The "Shoulder" Test: Run your fingernail across Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder. It should feel rough. That’s "intaglio" printing—a process where the paper is literally smashed into a plate with tons of pressure.
- The Pink Thread: Hold the bill up to a light. To the left of Franklin, there’s a vertical thread that says "USA 100." If you have a UV light (like the ones at the grocery store), that thread will glow bright pink.
What's Actually Changing in the "Next" Hundred?
When 2034 finally rolls around and we get the actual new 100 dollar bill, it’s going to be a total game-changer.
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The U.S. is finally catching up to the rest of the world on accessibility. For the first time, these notes will have "tactile features." Basically, raised bumps or textures that allow a person who is blind to feel the difference between a $100 and a $10.
We’re also expecting even more advanced machine-readable features. The goal is to make it so that an ATM can instantly tell the difference between a high-quality "supernote" (the scary-good fakes usually attributed to foreign governments) and the real deal.
Actionable Steps for You
Since the current $100 isn't going anywhere for a while, here is how you should handle your cash in 2026:
- Check Your Signatures: If you find a $100 bill with the Bessent/Malerba signature combo and a "Series 2026" or "Series 2021" mark in "uncirculated" condition, tuck it away. It’s not a retirement fund, but collectors often pay a premium for the first run of a new signature series.
- Don't Panic About "Old" Money: There is a persistent myth that the government will "recall" old $100 bills. They won't. Every U.S. bill printed since 1861 is still legal tender. If you have a stack of the old "small head" Benjamins from the 80s, they are still worth $100 (and probably more to a collector).
- Update Your Tech: If you run a business, 2026 is the year to update your bill counters. Even though the $100 isn't changing, the new $10 bill launching later this year will require firmware updates for any machine that accepts or counts cash.
- Trust the Ribbon: If someone hands you a hundred and that blue 3-D ribbon looks flat or doesn't move when you tilt it, give it back. That is still the #1 way to spot a fake in 2026.
The 100 dollar bill remains the most widely circulated note in the world, more popular outside the U.S. than inside it. Its stability is the backbone of the global economy, which is why the Treasury is being so "slow and steady" with the redesign. They aren't trying to be trendy; they're trying to be unhackable.