At 8:00 p.m. local time in Cuba, the unofficial currency market wrapped up this Saturday, August 1, 2026, with both the dollar and euro showing no significant changes.
Both the U.S. dollar and the euro remained stable compared to the previous day, while the MLC saw a slight upward shift, though data is sparse and should be considered as a guide only.
The U.S. dollar concluded the day valued at 673 Cuban pesos (CUP), mirroring yesterday's rate and barely differing from a week ago when it was at 674 pesos, reflecting a mere 1 peso decrease (-0.2%).
In the past month, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 635 and a high of 675 pesos in the informal market.
The demand for dollars remains high among those seeking to safeguard their savings against the peso's depreciation.
Euro Stays Unchanged
The euro is priced at 785 Cuban pesos (CUP), showing no variation from the previous day or a week ago, maintaining a streak of stability.
Over the past month, the euro has ranged from a low of 718 to a high of 790 pesos, making it the most expensive currency in Cuba's parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 112 pesos.
MLC Experiences Minor Increase
The MLC, a digital-only currency, closed at approximately 475 pesos Cuban (CUP). This figure is indicative since data at this time is limited.
Compared to the previous day, it increased by 4 pesos (+0.8%), and from today's opening, it rose by 3 pesos (+0.6%).
On a weekly comparison, it dropped 5 pesos from 480 a week ago (-1%), and over the past month, it retreated 11 pesos from 486 (-2.3%).
In the last four weeks, it fluctuated between a minimum of 410 and a maximum of 543 pesos. With no physical form, its use is restricted to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Official vs. Informal Rates
Exchange rates are as follows: USD to CUP at 673, EUR to CUP at 785, and the MLC to CUP at a provisional 475. The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains at 615 CUP per dollar and 707 CUP per euro, significantly lower than the practical rates observed in the informal currency exchange.
The gap between the official and informal rates is 58 pesos for the dollar and 78 pesos for the euro.
Despite Segment III being introduced as a more flexible currency mechanism, its official rates remain far removed from the informal market values, failing to meet the real currency demand among the Cuban population.
In a situation marked by persistent inflation, low government salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, any variation in the informal market directly impacts domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
The stability at closing cannot hide that both the dollar and the euro are significantly higher than they were a month ago, reflecting the structural pressure on the Cuban peso.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an informal market index created through the automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts in Telegram and Facebook groups.
Unusual offers and spam messages are filtered out, each transaction is weighed according to its age, and a representative value is consolidated and updated several times a day.
U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) conversions as of Saturday, August 1, 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.
Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) conversions as of Saturday, August 1, 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 informal currency market important in Cuba?
The informal currency market in Cuba is crucial because it more accurately reflects the real demand and supply of foreign currencies, unlike the official rates which are often disconnected from market realities.
How does the MLC differ from physical currencies?
The MLC is a digital-only currency used primarily in state-run stores in Cuba, lacking a physical form, which limits its circulation compared to cash currencies like the U.S. dollar or euro.
What factors influence the demand for U.S. dollars in Cuba?
The demand for U.S. dollars in Cuba is driven by the need to protect savings from the depreciation of the peso and to access goods and services not readily available through the local currency.