Ever tried to buy a mid-tier video game or a decent dinner for two in a U.S. border town using Canadian cash? You pull out a crisp ninety-dollar stack of Canadian bills and realize that, honestly, it doesn't go nearly as far as it used to.
As of January 18, 2026, the math is getting a bit weird. If you're looking to swap 90.00 CAD to USD, you're looking at roughly $64.69 USD.
That’s the mid-market rate, basically the "pure" value before banks and exchange kiosks take their slice. But why is it stuck here? Why hasn't the Loonie made a real comeback against the Greenback?
It’s complicated. It's not just about oil prices or how many tourists are visiting Banff.
The Reality of 90.00 CAD to USD in Early 2026
Right now, the exchange rate is hovering around 0.7188. To be blunt, the Canadian dollar is struggling to find its footing. We've seen a steady slide since the start of the year. On January 1st, that same 90 bucks would have netted you nearly $65.60. A few weeks later, you've lost the price of a coffee just by waiting.
What’s driving this?
Mostly, it’s a game of chicken between the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve. Tiff Macklem and the folks in Ottawa are holding interest rates steady at 2.25%. Meanwhile, across the border, the Fed is sitting higher at a range of 3.5% to 3.75%.
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When U.S. rates are higher, global investors prefer to park their money in U.S. assets. It’s safer. It pays more. Simple as that. This keeps the USD strong and leaves the CAD playing second fiddle.
Where You Lose Money on the Swap
If you walk into a big bank today with 90 Canadian dollars, you aren't getting $64.69. No way.
Banks usually bake in a 2% to 5% "spread."
- Big Banks: You might walk away with $61.50.
- Airport Kiosks: Honestly? You’ll be lucky to see $58.00. They prey on convenience.
- Fintech Apps: (Think Wise or Revolut) This is where you get closest to that $64.00 mark.
For an amount like $90, the difference might seem small—maybe five or six bucks. But if you’re doing this regularly, or if you’re a freelancer getting paid in CAD, those "small" losses become a massive headache over a year.
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Why the Loonie is Feeling "Heavy"
There is a lot of talk in the financial world about "divergence."
Canada’s economy is in a strange spot. We've hit a point of zero population growth in 2026 for the first time in decades. That changes everything. Without a flood of new workers and consumers, GDP growth has to come from productivity—doing more with less. And Canada hasn't exactly been a world leader in productivity lately.
Then there's the U.S. trade situation. With CUSMA (the trade deal formerly known as NAFTA) always under a microscope, any hint of new tariffs makes the Canadian dollar twitchy.
BMO economists like Michael Gregory have pointed out that while the Loonie might gain a little ground by the end of 2026—maybe hitting the 75-cent mark—we aren't there yet. We’re in the "cold" period.
Practical Examples: What $90 CAD Actually Buys in the States
Let’s look at the "purchasing power" of that $64.69 USD conversion.
- Target/Walmart Run: You can get a decent set of bedsheets and maybe a cheap toaster.
- Dining Out: In a city like Buffalo or Detroit, this covers a nice meal for two with drinks, but in NYC or San Francisco? That's barely an appetizer and one cocktail after tip.
- Digital Goods: Most $89.99 CAD software subscriptions or games actually end up costing about $69.99 USD. Your $90 CAD doesn't even cover the "sticker price" of the American version once you account for the exchange.
Stop Giving Your Money to the Banks
If you have exactly 90.00 CAD and you need USD, don't just go to the nearest teller.
If you're a Canadian traveling south, use a credit card with No Foreign Exchange (No-FX) fees. Cards like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite or the Wealthsimple Card save you that 2.5% fee that most people don't even realize they're paying.
On a $90 purchase, a standard card charges you about $2.25 just for the privilege of spending your own money.
Another trick: If an ATM or a credit card terminal asks if you want to pay in CAD or USD—always choose USD. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion. If you choose CAD, the merchant’s bank chooses the rate, and it is never in your favor. They’ll effectively turn your $90 CAD into $55 USD and pocket the rest.
What to Watch for the Rest of 2026
Keep an eye on the January 28th interest rate announcements. Both the Fed and the BoC are expected to hold steady. If the Fed surprises everyone and cuts rates, the CAD will jump. If they hint at keeping rates high forever, expect that $90 CAD to feel even smaller by springtime.
Also, watch the oil markets. Even though Canada is trying to diversify, the CAD is still a "commodity currency." If global tensions push oil prices up, the Loonie usually hitches a ride.
Actionable Steps for Your Currency Swap
- Check the Live Mid-Market Rate: Use a site like XE or Google Finance right before you swap so you know the "real" number.
- Avoid Cash if Possible: Physical currency exchange is the most expensive way to move money.
- Use Peer-to-Peer: If you have a friend who needs CAD and has USD, swap with them at the mid-market rate. You both win, and the banks get $0.
- Digital Wallets: For small amounts like $90, keeping the money in a USD-denominated digital account (like a cross-border bank account) avoids the need to swap back and forth when rates are bad.
At the end of the day, 90.00 CAD to USD isn't a fortune, but in an economy where every dollar is being squeezed by inflation, there’s no reason to let an exchange desk take a $10 cut of your $64.