World Cup Fuels Cash Demand; Bill and Coin Circulation Surges Over 3 Billion Pesos

Mexicans increased their use of cash during the opening week of the 2026 World Cup, a period that coincided with the tournament's start on June 11 in Mexico City. The Bank of Mexico reported that circulation of bills and coins grew by 3.761 billion pesos in the week ending June 12.

This surge in demand for physical currency happened even though it preceded the typical bi-weekly payday for many formal employees. Compared to the same week last year, the demand for cash represented an increase of 257.563 billion pesos. The total monetary base thus stood at 3.530 trillion pesos, a 7.9% annual increase, according to the central bank's report.

In parallel, Mexico's international reserves saw a decrease of $549 million dollars during the same week, bringing the total to $255.183 billion. This reduction was mainly due to changes in the valuation of the Bank of Mexico's international assets. However, year-to-date, these reserves, which act as a financial buffer against external shocks, have grown by $3.308 billion compared to the end of 2025.