It is not clear that it is illegal. The legality of “flipping cash” depends on the specific activity that is carried out in performing this maneuver.
What Is Flipping Cash and Is Flipping Cash Legal?
Flipping cash involves exchanging small-denomination currency for larger denomination bills, usually at a bank or authorized exchange facility. A person takes a stack of bills to a bank or other authorized exchange facility and exchanges smaller denomination bills for larger ones. For example, a person might take $200 in their twenties and swap them for four $50 bills. This activity is also known as “shedding.”
The legality of flipping cash depends on what you do with the proceeds from this transaction. If you take the proceeds from your exchanges and use them only to buy items that are legal for you to purchase, then it is not illegal.