Crossword Genius

Money as would be needed for rises (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cents

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

'needed for rises' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'money as' is the wordplay.
'money' becomes 'cent' (eg denomination of dollars).
'as' becomes 's' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'cent'+'s'='CENTS'

'would be' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cents that I've seen before include "US money, e.g." , "American coins" , "Fractions of dollar" , "money abroad" , "Hundredths of dollar" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app