The Caribbean Guilder (XCG) became the official currency of Curaçao and Sint Maarten on March 31, 2025, replacing the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG). The transition introduced a fixed exchange rate of USD 1 = XCG 1.79. Cash payments in ANG ceased to be accepted on July 1, 2025. The window for exchanging ANG banknotes and coins at commercial banks closes in four days, on March 31, 2026.
What Happens After March 31, 2026
After March 31, 2026, ANG banknotes and coins can no longer be exchanged at commercial banks. From that date, exchange is only possible directly at the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), and that option remains open until March 31, 2055. The CBCS exchange channel is significantly less convenient than commercial banking. Any holder of ANG cash who can act before March 31 should do so now.
Impact on Contracts and Compliance Documentation
All fine amounts, regulatory fees, and legal thresholds previously expressed in ANG are now denominated in XCG. The conversion is straightforward at the fixed pegged rate, but documentation that references ANG amounts should be updated. This includes contracts, fee schedules, internal compliance thresholds, and any regulatory filings that carry forward ANG-denominated figures. Service providers should also verify that any automated compliance calculations referencing ANG values have been updated to XCG.
What To Do Now
If your organisation or any of your clients hold ANG cash in Curaçao or Sint Maarten, arrange exchange at a commercial bank before March 31, 2026. Review contracts, fee schedules, and compliance documentation that reference ANG amounts and update them to XCG. This is a hard administrative deadline — the commercial bank exchange window closes permanently on March 31.