The unofficial currency exchange market in Cuba opened on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, with a mixed outlook: while the U.S. dollar remains unchanged, the euro and MLC have experienced minor increases.
At 10:00 a.m. local time, monitoring shows that the U.S. dollar is holding steady compared to the previous day. Meanwhile, the euro has seen a slight rise, and the MLC is up slightly, although with limited trading activity supporting its rate.
Current Exchange Rates
U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP): 668 CUP.
Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP): 758 CUP.
MLC to Cuban Peso (CUP): 471 CUP (indicative value, limited data).
Dollar Holds Its Ground
The U.S. dollar is trading at 668 CUP in the informal market, the same value reported in the previous session. This marks another stable day for the American currency, which has risen by 5 pesos from the 663 CUP recorded a week ago.
Over the past month, the dollar is down 6 pesos from the 674 CUP noted 30 days ago, although this comparison should be approached with caution as it may reflect methodological adjustments rather than pure market movement.
In the last 30 days, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 663 CUP and a high of 674 CUP.
Euro Experiences a Modest Increase
As of Wednesday morning, the euro stands at 758 CUP, marking an increase of 2.5 pesos from the 755 CUP of the previous session. On a weekly basis, the euro has gained 6.5 pesos from 751 CUP a week ago, solidifying a short-term upward trend.
However, over the past month, the euro is down 30.5 pesos from the 788 CUP seen a month ago, though part of this variation may be due to methodological index adjustments.
The euro remains the most expensive currency in the Cuban parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 90 pesos.
MLC: An Indicative Value
The MLC is approximately 471 CUP, up from 468 CUP the previous day, indicating a 2.5 peso increase. However, this figure is indicative, as limited trading during this period affects the representativeness of the rate.
Over the past week, the MLC has dropped 17 pesos from 488 CUP, and over the last month, it has fallen 23.5 pesos from 494 CUP. Its 30-day range has been broad, between 408 and 529 CUP.
Without physical existence, MLC usage is restricted to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Discrepancies with the Official Rate
The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), at 636 CUP per dollar and 742 CUP per euro, remains significantly below the rates prevalent in the informal currency market.
The gap between the official and informal prices is 32 pesos for the dollar and 16 pesos for the euro. While Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate continues to lag behind the unofficial market, failing to meet the public's real demand for foreign currency.
It is noteworthy that the official dollar rate has climbed from 601 CUP on July 27 to the current 636 CUP, indicating a sustained depreciation of the peso even in the official channel.
Currency Conversion Equivalents
U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP), according to Wednesday, August 26, 2026, exchange rates:
1 USD = 668 CUP
5 USD = 3,340 CUP
10 USD = 6,680 CUP
20 USD = 13,360 CUP
50 USD = 33,400 CUP
100 USD = 66,800 CUP
Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP), according to Wednesday, August 26, 2026, exchange rates:
1 EUR = 758 CUP
5 EUR = 3,790 CUP
10 EUR = 7,580 CUP
20 EUR = 15,160 CUP
50 EUR = 37,900 CUP
100 EUR = 75,800 CUP
Methodology: The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market derived from automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts on Telegram and Facebook groups. It filters out atypical offers and spam, weighs each transaction based on its age, and consolidates a representative value updated several times a day.
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the informal market rate for foreign currency higher than the official rate in Cuba?
The informal market rate is higher due to the limited supply of foreign currency available through official channels, which drives up demand and prices in the parallel market.
What is the impact of the exchange rate on everyday life in Cuba?
The exchange rate affects the cost of imported goods and the purchasing power of Cubans, influencing inflation and the availability of essential products.