You’ve probably seen the headlines floating around social media or sitting in your news feed. There’s a lot of talk about a new bill of 100 dollars coming to save us from counterfeiters or maybe just to give our wallets a facelift. But honestly, if you’re expecting to see a fresh "Benjamin" in your hands by the end of 2026, you’re going to be waiting a while.
Money is weird. We use it every day, yet most of us have no clue how the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) actually decides when a note is "done." The reality of the new bill of 100 dollars is a mix of high-tech security, massive government delays, and a rollout schedule that stretches way into the next decade.
Why the $100 Bill Isn't Changing Yet
The U.S. government is currently working on what they call the "Catalyst Series." It’s basically the biggest overhaul of American cash since the early 1900s. But here’s the kicker: they aren't starting with the big bills.
The $10 note is actually the first one on the chopping block for 2026. Why? Because it’s easier to test new tech on a lower-circulation note before applying it to the most counterfeited bill in the world outside the U.S.
If you are looking for the new bill of 100 dollars, the official timeline from the BEP doesn't even have it hitting the streets until 2034. That is nearly a decade away. People get this wrong because they see the "2026" start date for the new currency series and assume everything changes at once. It doesn't. It’s a staggered release.
- 2026: New $10 bill (The debut of the Catalyst Series)
- 2028: New $50 bill
- 2030: New $20 bill
- 2032: New $5 bill
- 2034: New $100 bill
What’s Actually Changing on the $100 Note?
Even though we have a wait ahead of us, the tech behind the new bill of 100 dollars is already being cooked up in labs. The main goal isn't "pretty colors"—it's keeping the North Koreans and sophisticated crime syndicates from printing high-quality fakes.
👉 See also: Exactly how much is 10 dollars in english pounds right now
The current $100 bill, which we’ve had since 2013, already uses that cool blue 3D security ribbon. You know, the one where the bells change to 100s when you tilt it? Well, the next version is going to be even more intense. We're talking about tactile features. For the first time, U.S. currency will have raised, "haptic" elements specifically designed to help visually impaired people tell the difference between a five and a hundred just by touch.
There's also talk about "transparent windows" and color-shifting inks that are even more complex than the copper-to-green ink we use now. Basically, the government is in an arms race with people who have really good printers.
The Benjamin Franklin Question
Everyone wants to know if Harriet Tubman or someone else is taking over the C-note. Short answer: probably not. While the $20 bill is famously slated for a portrait change, there hasn't been any official word that Benjamin Franklin is getting evicted from the new bill of 100 dollars. He’s sort of the face of American fiscal stability abroad.
Counterfeit Protection in 2026
While we wait for the 2034 redesign, the Federal Reserve is still printing billions of the "old" (current) 100-dollar bills. In fact, the 2026 print order approved by the Board of Governors includes up to 876 million $100 notes.
📖 Related: Bank of America Branches Closing 2025: What Most People Get Wrong
If someone hands you a new bill of 100 dollars today and it looks different from what you're used to, it’s probably a fake. Or maybe a movie prop. Or, more likely, it's just a very crisp version of the 2013 Series.
To stay safe right now, you really only need to remember three things. First, feel the paper. It should feel slightly rough because of the intaglio printing process. Second, check the blue ribbon; those bells should move. Third, look for the watermark. If Ben isn't lurking in the white space on the right when you hold it up to the light, you’ve got a problem.
Preparing for the Currency Shift
Retailers and banks are the ones who actually have to worry about 2026. Even though the $100 isn't changing yet, the new $10 bill that drops this year means millions of vending machines, self-checkout kiosks, and ATM sensors need software updates.
If you own a business, you don't need to do much for the new bill of 100 dollars yet. But you should start training your staff to recognize the new $10 Catalyst note when it appears in late 2026. Usually, the BEP releases "educational materials" about six months before a new bill hits the streets.
Actionable Steps for Cash Users
Don't get caught up in the internet rumors. Here is what you actually need to do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Ignore "Recall" Scams: The U.S. government has never recalled old currency. Even if a new bill of 100 dollars came out tomorrow, your "old" ones from 1990 would still be worth exactly 100 bucks. Anyone telling you to "exchange" your old bills for new ones is trying to rob you.
- Watch the $10 First: Use the 2026 launch of the new $10 bill as a "practice run." Learn the new security features there, because they will likely be the same ones used on the $100 later on.
- Check Your Tech: If you use a bill counter or a counterfeit detector pen at work, make sure it’s rated for the latest series. Some older "ink-based" pens don't work well on newer polymer-hybrid features.
- Follow the BEP: Check the official uscurrency.gov site. It’s the only place where you’ll get the real images of the new designs before they launch.
The new bill of 100 dollars is a masterpiece of engineering that's still a decade away. For now, keep an eye on your tens, and don't let anyone tell you your current Benjamins are expiring.