US Dollar Continues to Rise: Should You Buy In or Avoid the FOMO?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The US dollar continues to strengthen amid global economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions. The rupiah exchange rate even touched Rp 17,600 per US dollar. The continued strengthening of the US dollar raises the question: should people start saving in US dollars? However, financial planner Andi Nugroho reminds that storing funds in this instrument should be for hedging purposes, not just to follow a trend. He explained that the decision to put funds in US dollars actually depends on the needs and risk profile of each individual. “So, is it okay to invest in US dollars? It depends on ourselves, whether we want to diversify our investments in US dollars or not. Because not everyone feels comfortable investing in US dollars,” he told Kompas.com, written on Sunday (17/5/2026). This is because foreign exchange investment is basically more suitable for the medium to long term, not for seeking instant profits in a short time. “Don’t just buy US dollars because it’s rising and then experience FOMO. If it doesn’t match your risk profile and investment goals, you might actually end up losing money,” he said. Andi reminds that investors need to prepare for an investment period of about one to three years in order to obtain optimal potential profits, so they cannot expect instant gains. “Just because the US dollar is strengthening now, we don’t know what it will be like in a few months. If you are lucky and make a profit from it, if not, then you have to hold it for longer,” he said. If you want to start buying US dollars, Andi also suggests doing it gradually to reduce the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. This strategy is known as dollar-cost averaging, which means buying a little bit at a time on a regular basis. KOMPAS.com is committed to providing clear, trustworthy and balanced facts. Support the sustainability of quality journalism and enjoy ad-free reading through Membership. Join KOMPAS.com Plus now.