As of 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the informal currency market wrapped up on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with a day marked by stability in key foreign currencies. The American dollar and the euro concluded the day unchanged from the previous session, while the MLC saw a significant drop, although its valuation should be approached cautiously due to the low transaction volume backing it.
This Saturday, the U.S. dollar remained steady at 664 Cuban pesos (CUP). Despite this stability, the dollar continues to show a downward trend from the previous week, when it was valued at 673 CUP, marking a decrease of 8.5 pesos over the last seven days (-1.3%). Over the past month, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 655 and a high of 675 CUP. Its current value stands 9 pesos higher than a month ago, although a 30-day comparison may reflect methodological adjustments rather than mere market movements. The dollar remains a key indicator in the informal market amid a structural currency shortage.
The euro also closed the day at 760 CUP, maintaining its position from the previous session. Similar to the dollar, the euro has experienced a noteworthy weekly decline, from 781 CUP a week ago to its current value, representing a drop of 20.5 pesos over the past week (-2.6%). In the last month, the euro has reached a peak of 790 and a low of 755 CUP; its present rate is 5 pesos above that of 30 days ago, though this comparison should be interpreted with caution due to possible methodological adjustments. It surpasses the dollar by 96 pesos, solidifying its dominant stance in Cuba's parallel market.
The MLC concluded around 435 CUP, a figure to be considered as indicative due to the minimal trading volume during this time. This marks a decline of 19.5 pesos from the previous day (-4.3%) and 26 pesos compared to a week ago (-5.6%). In the last month, the MLC has fluctuated between a minimum of 413 and a maximum of 496 CUP. Without physical presence, its circulation is limited to state-run stores that accept it, restricting its use compared to cash currencies.
Exchange rates as of Saturday, August 15, 2026, are as follows: USD to CUP at 664, EUR to CUP at 760, and MLC to CUP at 435 (indicative value, limited data). The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba in Segment III remains significantly lower, at 628 CUP per dollar and 727 CUP per euro, compared to the practical rates in the informal currency market.
Even though Segment III was introduced as a supposedly more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rates remain far from those of the informal market and fail to meet the actual demand for foreign currency among the population. Over the past month, the official dollar rate increased from 592 to 628 CUP, and the euro from 678 to 727 CUP, reflecting a sustained adjustment that still leaves a gap of 36 pesos for the dollar and 33 pesos for the euro compared to the informal market.
In a context of ongoing inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, any fluctuation in the informal market has a direct impact on internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market derived from automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts in Telegram and Facebook groups. It filters out atypical offers and spam, weighs each transaction based on its recency, and consolidates a representative value updated multiple times a day.
The conversion rates for U.S. dollar (USD) to Cuban peso (CUP) as of Saturday, August 15, 2026, are as follows: 1 USD = 664 CUP, 5 USD = 3,320 CUP, 10 USD = 6,640 CUP, 20 USD = 13,280 CUP, 50 USD = 33,200 CUP, 100 USD = 66,400 CUP. For euro (EUR) to CUP: 1 EUR = 760 CUP, 5 EUR = 3,800 CUP, 10 EUR = 7,600 CUP, 20 EUR = 15,200 CUP, 50 EUR = 38,000 CUP, 100 EUR = 76,000 CUP, 200 EUR = 152,000 CUP.
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the informal market in Cuba important?
The informal market in Cuba is crucial as it reflects the real demand and supply of foreign currencies, which the official market fails to meet. It plays a significant role in determining the actual purchasing power and economic conditions for Cubans.
How does the fluctuation in the informal market affect Cubans?
Fluctuations in the informal market directly impact the internal prices of goods and services, affecting the purchasing power and economic stability of Cuban citizens, particularly in an environment of inflation and low state salaries.
What is the role of the CiberCuba Exchange Rate?
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate serves as an indicator of the informal market trends by analyzing numerous currency exchange posts on social media, providing a more accurate representation of currency values in Cuba.