Are high-denomination bills a sign of global corruption? Why are there many hundred dollar bills abroad? “it has nothing to do with the u. s. How many us $100 bills are in circulation? He said the growth in $ 100 bills in circulation is a signal the world is relying on them as a store of value — and still using them for international crime. · the number of outstanding u. s. How many us $100 bills are there in circulation? Economy and nothing to do with interest rates,” said colas. · the number of hundred - dollar bills in circulation skyrocketing could be down to a rise in global corruption in the past decade, research claims. · experts believe the surge could be linked to global corruption. The unfortunate conclusion is that, by issuing this huge volume of $ 100 bills , the fed is helping the world’s worst people evade law enforcement. $ 100 bills has doubled since the financial crisis, with more than 12 billion of them across the world, according to the latest data from the federal reserve. The number of outstanding $ 100 bills has doubled since the financial crisis, now outnumbering even $1 bills in circulation, a development that could be due to rising international corruption , according to cnbc. C-notes ($ 100 ) have passed $1 bills in circulation, deutsche bank chief international economist torsten slok said in a note to clients, according to cnbc.