How can I find out the current exchange rate before making a transfer?

For Ukrainians living in Calgary who regularly send money to Ukraine, knowing the current exchange rate is key to making the right financial decisions. The Canadian dollar to hryvnia exchange rate is constantly changing due to economic and political factors, so it is important to know where and how to get the most accurate and up-to-date information before making a transfer.

Official sources of exchange rates

National Bank of Ukraine (NBU)

The most authoritative source of the official hryvnia exchange rate is the National Bank of Ukraine. The NBU sets and publishes the official exchange rate of the hryvnia against foreign currencies, including the Canadian dollar, on a daily basis. As of August 2025, the official NBU exchange rate is 30.0151 hryvnia per 1 Canadian dollar.

Features of the official NBU exchange rate:

  • Published daily at 16:30 Kyiv time (except weekends and holidays)
  • Used for official settlements between the NBU and the State Statistics Service of Ukraine
  • The NBU does not guarantee the purchase or sale of currencies at these rates
  • On March 31, 2025, the NBU updated the list of currencies for which a daily exchange rate is set

Bank of Canada

The Bank of Canada publishes daily and monthly exchange rates for major world currencies. Although the Ukrainian hryvnia is not included in the list of currencies tracked directly by the Bank of Canada, this institution provides rates for the US dollar, euro, and other currencies that may be useful for understanding general currency market trends.

Useful information from the Bank of Canada:

  • The USD/CAD exchange rate as of August 2025 fluctuates around 1.3775
  • The average USD/CAD exchange rate for 2025 was 1.4026
  • Data is updated daily at 16:30 ET

Online platforms and financial services

Specialized currency converters

  • XE.com — real-time exchange rates and historical trends for CAD/UAH.
  • OANDA — over 31 years of historical data for more than 38,000 currency pairs.
  • Wise — “real” interbank rates with no markups; as of August 2025, the CAD/UAH exchange rate is ~ 29.9066.

Professional financial platforms

  • Exchange Rates UK — CAD/UAH exchange rate in July 2025: from 28.640 to 30.740.
  • OFX — track fluctuations and receive notifications about exchange rate changes.

Mobile apps for tracking exchange rates

Recommended apps for iOS and Android

  • Real-Time Currency Converter — over 150 currencies, offline mode.
  • All Currency Converter — over 170 currencies, widgets, charts.
  • Canadian Dollar USD Converter — fast CAD/USD conversion.

Banking apps

  • TD Canada Trust — exchange rates for over 50 currencies.
  • CIBC — currency converter in the app.
  • Scotiabank — competitive rates and user-friendly interface.

Physical exchange offices in Calgary

Best locations:

  • Calforex Currency Exchange — branches in Chinook Centre and downtown.
  • ICE Canada — branch in Market Mall Calgary, exclusive online rates.
  • Express Forex Services — best rate guaranteed.
  • Prime FX — stores in Mississauga, Calgary, and Burnaby.

Bank branches

  • TD Canada Trust
  • Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
  • Bank of Montreal (BMO)
  • Scotiabank

Money transfer services and their rates

Traditional services

  • Western Union — CAD/UAH exchange rate via currency converter, markups possible.
  • MoneyGram — competitive rates, 4.9 stars in the iOS App Store.
  • MEEST Canada — specializes in transfers to Ukraine.

Modern fintech solutions

  • Wise — interbank exchange rate, fixed for 48 hours.
  • RemitBee — free for amounts over 500 CAD, competitive exchange rates.
  • TransferGo — first two transfers free, real-time exchange rate.

Factors affecting the CAD/UAH exchange rate

Economic factors

The exchange rate of the Canadian dollar against the hryvnia depends on many factors, including:

  • Bank of Canada interest rate policy
  • Oil and commodity prices (important for the Canadian economy)
  • The economic situation in Ukraine and the NBU's policy
  • The geopolitical situation in the region

Military conflict and its impact

Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the NBU has fixed the official hryvnia exchange rate.

In July 2022, the exchange rate was set at 36.5686 hryvnia per US dollar. In October 2023, the NBU moved to a managed floating exchange rate, allowing the hryvnia to weaken or strengthen depending on market conditions.

Practical tips for monitoring exchange rates

Create a tracking system

  • Set up multiple sources — it is recommended to use at least 2-3 different sources to check the exchange rate, including the official NBU rate, the market rate from Wise or XE.com, and the rates of local exchange offices in Calgary.
  • Use notifications — many apps allow you to set up notifications when the desired exchange rate is reached.
  • Consider time zones — the NBU publishes exchange rates at 4:30 p.m. Kyiv time (7:30 a.m. Mountain Time in Calgary in summer and 6:30 a.m. in winter).

Understanding the difference between exchange rates

  • The official NBU rate does not always reflect the real market rate.
  • The interbank rate shows the “fair” market price, but is usually not available to individuals.
  • Exchange rates offered by exchange offices and banks include a margin and may differ significantly from the official rates.

Best time for transfers

  • Analyze trends — use historical data to understand seasonal and long-term changes.
  • Consider volatility — in times of war, exchange rates can be unstable, so it's important to follow the news.
  • Plan regular transfers — consider averaging amounts to reduce risk.

Comparison of the cost of different transfer methods

Traditional bank transfers

  • RBC: from $45 CAD per outgoing transfer
  • TD: $50 CAD
  • CIBC: $30–80 CAD
  • BMO: 0.2% of the amount + $10 CAD
  • Scotiabank: free for Ultimate Package, otherwise $1.99 CAD

Specialized transfer services

  • Wise: commission ~0.40% and real interbank exchange rate
  • RemitBee: free for amounts over $500 CAD
  • MEEST: 2% for amounts over $1,000 CAD, additional services for Ukraine

Security and reliability of information sources

Verified and regulated sources

  • Government agencies: NBU, Bank of Canada
  • Licensed services: banks, official exchange offices
  • International platforms: XE.com, OANDA

Avoid fraud

  • Beware of unofficial sources with “too good to be true” rates.
  • Check the licenses and reputation of services.

Conclusion

Obtaining up-to-date information on the CAD/UAH exchange rate before transferring money to Calgary requires a comprehensive approach.

The best strategy is to combine official NBU rates, market data from international platforms, and local exchange offers.

Mobile apps offer convenience, physical exchange offices offer specific terms, and specialized transfer services often offer the most favorable rates. Regular monitoring, notifications, and understanding of influencing factors will help you save money and make transfers at the best time.

In times of war and economic instability, exchange rates can change quickly, so it is critical to check the information in a timely manner.