As of 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the informal currency exchange market concluded the session on Friday, July 31, without any significant fluctuations. Both the US dollar and the euro ended the day with no changes compared to the previous session, maintaining a period of stability that contrasts with the sharp increases observed in the past month. Meanwhile, the MLC showed a slight decrease, although its exchange rate should be considered indicative due to the limited volume of trade supporting it. The informal market's exchange rate is updated several times daily based on an analysis of thousands of buy-sell listings.
Exchange Rates and Trend Analysis
The US dollar remained steady at 673 Cuban pesos (CUP), the same as the previous day. Over the week, the rate has stayed virtually unchanged, with the dollar valued at 674 pesos seven days ago, just one peso higher than its current level. However, the monthly perspective reveals a different picture: 30 days ago, the dollar was trading at 623 pesos, marking an increase of nearly 50 pesos during this period. It's important to note that this comparison might partly reflect methodological adjustments in the index. Throughout the past month, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 624 and a high of 675 pesos. The demand for dollars remains high among those looking to protect their savings from the peso's depreciation.
The euro closed at 785 Cuban pesos (CUP), unchanged from the previous day and the same as a week ago when it also stood at 785 pesos. Over the month, the European currency showed a gain of 79 pesos compared to the 706 pesos it was valued at 30 days ago, an 11.2% increase, though this figure should be interpreted with the same caution as the dollar regarding potential methodological adjustments. The euro reached a maximum of 790 pesos last month and a minimum of 706. It currently surpasses the dollar by 112 pesos, solidifying its dominant position in Cuba’s parallel market.
MLC Exchange Rate and Its Volatility
The MLC closed at approximately 471 Cuban pesos (CUP), falling by 3 pesos from the previous day and 4 pesos from the day’s opening. Weekly, it increased by just 1 peso from 470 seven days ago, while over the month it gained 5 pesos from the 466 recorded 30 days prior. Despite this, the wide monthly range—between a low of 410 and a high of 543 pesos—reflects the volatility characterizing this currency. Without physical presence, its use is limited to state-run stores that accept it, restricting its circulation compared to cash currencies. The published value is indicative, given the limited volume of transactions recorded in this sector.
USD to CUP exchange rate: 673 CUP. EUR to CUP exchange rate: 785 CUP. MLC to CUP exchange rate: 471 CUP (indicative value). The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), set this Friday at 611 CUP per dollar and 704 CUP per euro, remains significantly below the values prevailing in the informal currency market. The gap between the official and informal rates reaches 62 pesos for the dollar and 81 pesos for the euro.
Impact of Economic Conditions on Exchange Rates
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains far from the informal market rate and fails to meet the real currency demand of the population. Throughout July, the official dollar rate increased from 589 to 611 pesos, and the official euro rate rose from 673 to 704 pesos. Despite this rise, the gap with the parallel market has not been bridged.
In a landscape marked by sustained inflation, low state salaries, and a growing partial dollarization of the economy, every fluctuation in the informal market directly affects internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market created from the automated analysis of thousands of currency exchange listings in Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation discards atypical offers and spam messages, weighting each transaction by its age and consolidating a representative value that is updated several times a day.
USD to CUP bill equivalence, based on exchange rates this Friday, July 31, 2026: 1 USD = 673 CUP; 5 USD = 3,365 CUP; 10 USD = 6,730 CUP; 20 USD = 13,460 CUP; 50 USD = 33,650 CUP; 100 USD = 67,300 CUP. EUR to CUP bill equivalence, based on exchange rates this Friday, July 31, 2026: 1 EUR = 785 CUP; 5 EUR = 3,925 CUP; 10 EUR = 7,850 CUP; 20 EUR = 15,700 CUP; 50 EUR = 39,250 CUP; 100 EUR = 78,500 CUP; 200 EUR = 157,000 CUP.
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the demand for US dollars high in Cuba?
Many Cubans seek US dollars as a means to protect their savings from the depreciation of the peso, given the economic instability and inflation in the country.
How often is the informal market exchange rate updated?
The exchange rate in the informal market is updated several times a day, based on an analysis of numerous buy-sell listings.
What is Segment III in the context of Cuba's currency exchange?
Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism by the Central Bank of Cuba, though its rates remain significantly lower than those in the informal market.