Welcome Caribbean Guilder (XCG)
Starting March 31, 2024, Curaçao and Sint Maarten will introduce a new currency, the Caribbean Guilder (XCG, Cg). Until now, the Netherlands Antillean Guilder, which has been in circulation since 1952 (73 years), was the currency used in the former Netherlands Antilles, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.
The Caribbean Guilder is pegged to the US dollar with a fixed exchange rate of US$1 = Cg1.79. The exchange rate between the Netherlands Antillean Guilder and the Caribbean Guilder is 1:1. Both currencies hold the same value.
The transition to the Caribbean Guilder is a carefully planned process. After the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, it became clear that Curaçao and Sint Maarten needed a new currency.
Would you like more information about the Caribbean Guilder?
The Netherlands Antillean Guilder, a currency still linked to a country that no longer exists, faces several practical issues. The Netherlands Antillean Guilder will remain in circulation until June 30, 2025, after which it will be withdrawn. Additionally, the aging security features of the Netherlands Antillean Guilder play a role.
The new Caribbean Guilder features modern security measures to prevent fraud. Due to the long circulation period of the Netherlands Antillean Guilder, its notes have become vulnerable to counterfeiting. The introduction of the new banknotes contributes to a safe and reliable payment system.
Although Qredits Curaçao does not handle cash at the office and the currency change was a 1:1 transition, this change required some preparations to ensure a smooth process. With the help of our colleagues in the Netherlands, we updated all technical aspects where currency was involved — from the loan application module to training materials for our academies.
Together with our Commercial Director André Dolsma and Raiska Herrera (Co-founder & Branch Manager of Qredits Curaçao), we even welcomed the Caribbean Guilder on March 31, 2025.
