The informal currency exchange market in Cuba began this Sunday, August 2, without any notable shifts in its primary currencies, the U.S. dollar and the euro.
Both the U.S. dollar and the euro are trading at levels identical to the previous day. However, the Freely Convertible Currency (MLC) is showing a slight upward trend, albeit with minimal transaction support.
As of 10:00 a.m. local time, the U.S. dollar is valued at 673 Cuban pesos (CUP), buying at 670 CUP and selling at 675 CUP.
This reflects no change from the prior day, reinforcing a pattern of stability that is also evident in a week-to-week comparison: a week ago, the average rate was 674 CUP, just slightly higher than today.
Demand for dollars remains high among those seeking to safeguard their savings from the peso’s devaluation.
Euro's Position in the Market
The euro is pegged at 785 CUP, buying at 780 CUP and selling at 790 CUP. Like the dollar, it shows no fluctuations from the day before or from seven days ago when it also stood at 785 CUP.
It remains the most expensive currency in Cuba’s parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 112 pesos.
Movement in MLC
The MLC is priced around 474 CUP, with a purchase rate of 449 CUP and a sale rate of 498 CUP.
This represents an increase of 1.5 pesos since the previous day. Nonetheless, due to the low volume of transactions, this currency's data should be considered indicative.
Without physical presence, its use is confined to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash-based currencies.
Exchange Rate Summary
U.S. Dollar to CUP: 673 CUP. Euro to CUP: 785 CUP. MLC to CUP: 474 CUP (indicative value, limited data available).
Weekly and Monthly Trends
Over the past week, the dollar has seen a minor decline of 0.1% from 674 CUP, indicating the U.S. currency's stable position in the informal market.
The euro has shown no movement over the last week, maintaining at 785 CUP.
When looking at a monthly perspective, the scenario changes. A month ago, the dollar was approximately 635 CUP, marking an increase of around 37.5 pesos or a 5.9% rise.
The euro was valued near 719 CUP a month ago, accumulating a gain of about 66.5 pesos or a 9.3% increase.
It’s important to note that these 30-day comparisons may partly reflect methodology adjustments rather than pure market movements.
Maximums, Minimums, and Stability
In the last 30 days, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 635 CUP and a high of 675 CUP in the informal market, placing its current rate close to recent peaks.
The euro has ranged from 718 CUP to 790 CUP during the same period, also remaining near its highest values.
The MLC has displayed more volatility, with a range from 410 CUP to 543 CUP over the past month, though these figures are less reliable due to the low number of recorded transactions.
The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), at 615 CUP per dollar and 707 CUP per euro, remains significantly below the rates in the everyday informal currency market.
Despite Segment III being introduced as a more flexible currency mechanism, its official rate continues to fall far short of satisfying the real demand for foreign currency among the population.
In a context of ongoing inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, any change in the informal market directly impacts domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market, created through automated analysis of thousands of currency exchange postings in Telegram and Facebook groups.
The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam, weighting each transaction based on its recency and consolidating a representative value that is updated multiple times a day.
U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) Equivalence as of Sunday, August 2, 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) Equivalence as of Sunday, August 2, 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 U.S. dollars high in Cuba?
Cuban citizens seek U.S. dollars to protect their savings from the devaluation of the Cuban peso.
How does the official exchange rate compare to the informal market?
The official exchange rates are significantly lower than those in the informal market, failing to meet the actual demand for foreign currency.
What factors contribute to the fluctuations in the MLC?
The MLC experiences fluctuations due to the limited number of transactions and its restricted use to certain state-run stores.