Crossword Genius

Hand out pounds inside exchange (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dispense

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'hand out' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'pounds inside exchange' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'pounds' could be 'pens' and 'pens' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dispense that I've seen before include "Dish out, medicine say" , "Prepare and distribute medicine" , "Execute" , "Hand out (medicine)" , "Deal out or distribute" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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