You probably haven’t thought much about the cash in your pocket lately. Most of us just swipe a card or tap a phone. But if you happen to pull out a tenner, you’re looking at a design that’s basically stayed the same since 2006. That’s about to change.
The U.S. Treasury is currently in the middle of a massive overhaul of our paper money. It’s called the Catalyst Series. And guess what? The newest 10 dollar bill is the first one on the chopping block.
Honestly, it’s been a long time coming. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has a pretty strict timeline, and we’re officially looking at a late 2026 release for the new $10 note. It’s not just about a fresh coat of paint, though. There’s a lot of high-tech security and some pretty significant social history wrapped up in this redesign.
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Why the $10 Bill is Getting a Makeover
People always ask why the Treasury starts with the ten. Why not the hundred? Or the twenty?
It’s all about risk. The Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence (ACD) Steering Committee—which is a fancy name for the group of experts from the Secret Service, the Fed, and the Treasury—constantly monitors which bills are being faked the most. While the $100 is the most counterfeited bill outside the U.S., the smaller denominations are often targeted domestically because people don't check them as closely.
By starting with the newest 10 dollar bill in 2026, the government gets to test out its newest security features on a high-volume note before moving on to the $50 in 2028 and the $20 in 2030.
Wait, Who Is on the Front?
This is where things got kinda heated a few years back. You might remember the headlines around 2015 and 2016 about Harriet Tubman. The original plan was actually to put a woman on the $10 bill.
Then Hamilton happened.
The Broadway musical turned Alexander Hamilton into a certified superstar. Suddenly, there was a massive wave of public support to keep the first Treasury Secretary right where he is. Ultimately, the Treasury Department decided that Alexander Hamilton will stay on the front of the $10 bill. Don’t worry, the Harriet Tubman change is still happening—it’s just moving to the $20 bill, which is scheduled for 2030. For the 2026 release of the $10, Hamilton remains the face of the note, but the back of the bill is getting a major upgrade. The new design will feature a mural honoring the women’s suffrage movement, including icons like Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, and Susan B. Anthony.
The Tech You Can’t See (But Should)
The real reason for the newest 10 dollar bill isn't actually the portraits. It's the "Cat-and-Mouse" game with counterfeiters. Digital scanning and printing technology have gotten so good that the old security features just aren't cutting it anymore.
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Here is what we know is coming in the 2026 redesign:
- Raised Tactile Features (RTF): This is a huge deal. For the first time in history, U.S. currency will have a physical texture that allows blind and visually impaired individuals to identify the denomination just by touching it. They’re using a process called intaglio printing to create these raised bumps.
- Color-Shifting Ink: You know that "10" in the bottom right corner that turns from copper to green? Expect that to get even more complex. The new versions often use "SPARK" ink, which has a rolling bar effect that looks like light is moving across the number.
- Advanced Security Threads: The vertical strip that glows under UV light is getting a tech boost. It’ll likely be more difficult to "bleach"—a common tactic where criminals wash the ink off a $1 bill and print a $100 on top of it.
- 3D Security Ribbons: Similar to what you see on the current $100, the new $10 will likely incorporate micro-lenses that make images appear to move when you tilt the note.
Is Your Business Ready?
If you own a shop or manage a bank, 2026 is going to be a bit of a headache. Think about it: every vending machine, self-checkout kiosk, and ATM in the country has to be updated.
There are over 10 million machines worldwide that handle U.S. currency. Because the newest 10 dollar bill uses different paper thickness (thanks to those tactile features) and different optical markers, most of these machines will need a software patch or a hardware sensor calibration.
The BEP usually releases the final designs 6 to 8 months before the bills hit the streets. This gives manufacturers time to "teach" their machines what the new money looks like. If you're running a business, you'll want to check with your equipment providers early in 2026 to make sure you aren't rejecting perfectly good legal tender on day one.
The "Catalyst" Rollout Schedule
The $10 is just the beginning. The Treasury is basically on a two-year sprint once this starts. Here’s the current roadmap:
- 2026: The $10 bill (The "Catalyst" Series debut).
- 2028: The $50 bill.
- 2030: The $20 bill (The Tubman redesign).
- 2032: The $5 bill.
- 2034: The $100 bill.
What about the $1 and $2 bills? Honestly, they’re staying the same for now. They aren't worth enough for counterfeiters to spend the time faking them, and the cost of redesigning them is higher than the benefit.
Common Myths About the New Money
I’ve seen some wild rumors floating around social media. Let’s clear the air.
First off, your old money is not becoming worthless. The United States has never devalued its currency. Even if you have a $10 bill from 1950, it’s still worth exactly ten dollars. You don't need to rush to the bank to exchange anything.
Secondly, the "tactile features" aren't Braille. They are specific patterns of raised lines or dots designed by the BEP to be durable. Standard Braille would wear down too quickly in a pocket, so this is a custom-engineered solution.
Lastly, no, they aren't putting tracking chips in the bills. I know, it makes for a great conspiracy theory, but the "security features" are all physical—think special inks, polymers, and threads. Adding a chip would make a $10 bill cost more than $10 to produce, which would be a pretty bad business move for the government.
How to Prepare
As we get closer to the end of 2026, keep an eye on the official uscurrency.gov website. They’ll release "training" materials so you can learn the "Feel, Tilt, Check" method for the new note.
If you handle a lot of cash, start budgeting for equipment upgrades now. Whether it’s a simple counterfeit detector pen (though those are becoming less reliable) or a high-end bill counter, you'll want to be ready before the first newest 10 dollar bill ends up in your cash drawer.
The transition will be slow. You’ll probably still see "Hamilton 2006" bills for years to come. But by this time next year, the "New Ten" will be the talk of the financial world.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your hardware: If you use bill validators or ATMs, contact your vendor to ask about "Catalyst Series" compatibility.
- Educate your team: Once the BEP releases the final images (expected early 2026), print out the security feature guide for your cash-handling staff.
- Don't hoard: There’s no numismatic value in keeping the "old" $10 bills unless they have a rare serial number or a printing error. Spend 'em if you got 'em.