This Wednesday, a notable shift occurred in Cuba's informal currency market: the Freely Convertible Currency (MLC) saw a steep increase of 15 pesos, reaching 400 CUP, according to the monitoring by elTOQUE.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar and the euro held steady compared to the previous day, with the dollar at 525 CUP and the euro at 590 CUP.
The MLC's jump contrasts with the drop it experienced yesterday when it descended to 385 CUP, marking its lowest point in recent days.
The dollar remains at its historic high of 525 CUP, first achieved on Sunday, April 12, although it briefly pulled back afterward. Since April 2, when it was at 515 CUP, the dollar has risen by ten pesos in the informal market within just two weeks.
Exchange Rates on April 15, 2026 - 7:37 a.m. in Cuba:
According to elTOQUE, the exchange rate for the USD to CUP is 525 CUP.
The exchange rate for the EUR to CUP is 590 CUP.
The MLC to CUP exchange rate stands at 400 CUP.
The Central Bank of Cuba (BCC) maintains an official rate in Segment III between 480 and 485 CUP per dollar and 554.16 CUP per euro, indicating a gap of 5% to 8% with the informal market.
This discrepancy highlights the disconnection between official exchange policies and the economic reality faced by Cubans daily, where the informal market continues to be the true benchmark for price setting.
Economic Instability and Market Projections
The Cuba Money and Finance Observatory (OMFi) cautions that the apparent stability of recent days is more a result of economic slowdown than structural improvement, amidst enduring energy crises and declining tourism.
According to OMFi, "The reduced pressure in the market reflects an economy with diminished capacity for movement and currency generation."
Cuban tourism generated only 917 million dollars in revenue in 2025, with 1.9 million visitors, a 14% decrease from 2024, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). In February 2026, arrivals plummeted by 56% year-on-year.
Looking towards the end of April, OMFi projects a moderate further devaluation of the Cuban peso: the dollar could reach 533 CUP, the euro 604 CUP, and the MLC around 393 CUP.
However, analysts warn of high uncertainty in these projections, with wide fluctuation ranges: the euro could vary between 574 and 640 CUP, and the dollar between 503 and 590 CUP by the month's end.
Currency Equivalents: USD and EUR to CUP
USD to CUP:
1 USD = 525 CUP
5 USD = 2,625 CUP
10 USD = 5,250 CUP
20 USD = 10,500 CUP
50 USD = 26,250 CUP
100 USD = 52,500 CUP
EUR to CUP:
1 EUR = 590 CUP
5 EUR = 2,950 CUP
10 EUR = 5,900 CUP
20 EUR = 11,800 CUP
50 EUR = 29,500 CUP
100 EUR = 59,000 CUP
200 EUR = 118,000 CUP
500 EUR = 295,000 CUP
Understanding Cuba's Currency Market
Why did the MLC experience a sudden increase?
The MLC's sudden increase to 400 CUP is attributed to market dynamics and possibly limited supply in the informal market, reflecting economic instability.
What is the current exchange rate for USD and EUR in Cuba's informal market?
As of April 15, 2026, the USD is exchanged at 525 CUP and the EUR at 590 CUP in the informal market, according to elTOQUE.
How does the official exchange rate differ from the informal rate?
The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba is significantly lower, with the USD between 480 and 485 CUP and the EUR at 554.16 CUP, highlighting a disconnect with the informal market.