Kazakhstani Tenge · ₸ · Official currency of Kazakhstan
The Kazakhstani tenge (₸) was introduced in 1993 as Kazakhstan moved away from the Soviet ruble system. 'Tenge' derives from a Turkic word meaning 'scale' or 'coin.'
Six denominations circulate: ₸200, ₸500, ₸1,000, ₸2,000, ₸5,000, and ₸10,000, featuring historical figures and cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.
Card and mobile payments (like Kaspi) are extremely widespread in cities like Almaty and Astana, making it easy to get by without cash. That said, cash is still needed in smaller towns and local markets, so it's worth keeping some small bills on hand. Exchange at official currency exchange points, and double-check the rate actually applied before completing the transaction, since the posted rate and the real one can sometimes differ.
You can view the real banknote designs on the National Bank of Kazakhstan's official page.
See Kazakhstani Tenge banknotes at today's exchange rate →