為替
かわせ · kawase · JLPT N2 · noun
exchange
💵 為 (on behalf of) + 替 (substitute) = money sent in your place
替 means substitute, as in 代替 (replacement). A 為替 moves money for you through a stand-in, so the funds go in place of carrying cash. The exchange sense comes from swapping one currency for another.
替 — two 夫 (man) over 曰 (say)
Originally written with two 立 (stand) over 白, depicting two people side by side, suggesting replacement or alternation. The form evolved to two 夫 over 曰. The core meaning shifted from 'decline/abolish' to 'replace, substitute for'.