As the clock strikes 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the country's informal currency market wraps up on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with the U.S. dollar holding firm and the euro slipping slightly. The Cuban peso remains relatively stable against the American currency, while the euro experiences losses for the second day in a row. The MLC, meanwhile, posts an indicative value of 461 pesos, though trading volume is minimal.
The U.S. dollar concludes the day at 663 Cuban pesos (CUP), maintaining the same level as the previous session. This stability reinforces its position as a reliable benchmark in the informal market. Over the past week, the greenback has seen a minor decrease of 2.5 pesos—a dip of 0.4%. Comparatively, over a 30-day period, the dollar's fluctuation mirrors this percentage, albeit influenced by index methodology adjustments as well as market dynamics. Over the last month, the dollar has ranged from a low of 663 to a high of 675 pesos in the informal market. Demand for dollars remains robust among those looking to shield their savings from the peso's depreciation.
Euro's Decline Continues
The euro drops to 757 Cuban pesos by the day's end, down from 760 CUP the day before. This marks a reduction of 3 pesos compared to the previous session, equating to a 0.4% decrease. Examining the week's trend, seven days ago, the euro averaged 768 pesos, resulting in an accumulated loss of 10.5 pesos within this timeframe, or a 1.4% decline. Throughout the past month, the European currency reached a high of 790 and a low of 755 pesos in the informal market. It continues to surpass the dollar by 94 pesos, reinforcing its status as the most expensive currency in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC's Indicative Value
The MLC stands at approximately 461 Cuban pesos at closing, one peso less than the 462 recorded in the prior session. However, this figure should be considered indicative, given the limited transaction volume supporting it at this hour. In the past week, the MLC has risen 18.5 pesos from 443 pesos a week ago, reflecting a 4.2% increase. Without physical presence, its use is restricted to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Current exchange rates: USD to CUP is 663; EUR to CUP is 757; MLC to CUP is 461 (indicative, sparse data). The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains at 631 CUP per dollar and 731 CUP per euro, significantly below the rates prevalent in the day-to-day informal currency market. The gap between the official and informal dollar rates exceeds 32 pesos, while for the euro, the difference is 26 pesos.
Official Rates vs. Market Reality
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official quotation remains far from the informal market's reality, failing to meet the population's actual demand for foreign currency. Over the past month, the official dollar rate has climbed from 592 to 631 CUP, and the euro from 676 to 731 CUP, indicating a continuous depreciation of the peso even in the official channel.
In a context of persistent inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, each fluctuation in the informal market directly impacts domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of Cuba's informal market derived from automated analysis of thousands of currency buy-sell posts in Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation filters out atypical offers and spam, weighs each transaction by its recency, and consolidates a representative value that updates several times daily.
Currency Conversion Rates
USD to CUP conversion on Tuesday, August 18, 2026: 1 USD = 663 CUP, 5 USD = 3,315 CUP, 10 USD = 6,630 CUP, 20 USD = 13,260 CUP, 50 USD = 33,150 CUP, 100 USD = 66,300 CUP.
EUR to CUP conversion on Tuesday, August 18, 2026: 1 EUR = 757 CUP, 5 EUR = 3,785 CUP, 10 EUR = 7,570 CUP, 20 EUR = 15,140 CUP, 50 EUR = 37,850 CUP, 100 EUR = 75,700 CUP, 200 EUR = 151,400 CUP.
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the U.S. dollar in high demand in Cuba?
The U.S. dollar is sought after in Cuba as it provides a stable store of value compared to the depreciating Cuban peso, offering protection against inflation and allowing access to foreign goods and services.
What contributes to the euro's high value in Cuba's informal market?
The euro's high value is due to its limited availability and the perception of it being a stable currency. It is often used for international transactions and savings, further driving its demand.
How does the official exchange rate differ from the informal market rate?
The official exchange rate is set by the Central Bank of Cuba and is typically lower than the rates in the informal market, which reflect actual demand and supply conditions among the public.