US Dollars and Kuwaiti Dinars Traded Informally on Kwitang Pavement

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – On the pavement of Jalan Kramat Kwitang, Central Jakarta, US dollars, Singapore dollars, Malaysian ringgits, and Kuwaiti dinars can be obtained in an unusual way. Several men sit casually on plastic chairs, sheltered under trees or in front of small kiosks, offering informal foreign currency exchange services. From coins to damaged banknotes, various types of foreign currencies can be handled at this location, which is known as one of Jakarta’s street money changer hubs. “The most frequently exchanged currencies are Singapore dollars and US dollars. But besides that, there are Malaysian ringgits, euros, yuan, Kuwaiti dinars, Omani riyals, and Australian dollars. Even coins or banknotes that are slightly damaged can still be accepted,” said Nana to Kompas.com on Wednesday (25/2/2026). “If the money is deemed acceptable, I will check it first. Usually, I call my boss, send a photo, and then I pay. If it’s not acceptable, we don’t take the risk,” Nana added. With more than two decades of experience, Nana can distinguish between genuine and counterfeit money simply by looking at the texture, fibers, security threads, and ink color. According to him, experience is key to avoiding losses from counterfeit money. The street money changers combine their currency exchange services with other small businesses to meet their daily needs. Nana, for example, also runs a small trading business. “Rather than being idle, it’s better to have a small business. If there are customers, that’s great; if not, it’s okay,” said Nana. In addition, their decades of experience allow them to avoid losses due to counterfeit money. Walking along the pavement of Jalan Kramat Kwitang towards the Tugu Tani traffic light, several men can be seen sitting waiting for customers. Simple signs with the words “Buy and Sell Foreign Currency” or a manual dollar symbol indicate the location of the transactions.