By 10:00 a.m. local time in Cuba, the informal currency market is witnessing an increase in the value of both the US dollar and the euro this Saturday, August 29, 2026.
The US dollar has risen by one peso compared to the previous day, while the euro has climbed by five pesos. Meanwhile, the MLC has slightly declined, though data for it remains limited and mainly indicative.
Currency Exchange Overview
USD to CUP: 674 CUP.
EUR to CUP: 763 CUP.
MLC to CUP: 467 CUP (indicative value, limited data).
US Dollar Gains a Peso
In the informal market, the US dollar is valued at 674 Cuban pesos (CUP), with buying prices around 670 CUP and selling prices near 678 CUP. This marks an increase of one peso from the previous day, where the average was 673 CUP.
Looking at the past week, the dollar has risen by 11.5 pesos, equivalent to a 1.7% increase, from 663 CUP seven days ago. Over the last 30 days, the increase has been a minimal 1.5 pesos, although this figure should be approached with caution as it might reflect methodological adjustments rather than pure market movements.
Throughout the past month, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 663 CUP and the current high of 674 CUP, continuing to dominate the informal market amid an ongoing currency shortage.
Euro: The Costliest Currency in the Parallel Market
Starting the day at 763 Cuban pesos (CUP), the euro has a buying range of 760 CUP and a selling range of 765 CUP. Compared to the previous session, the euro has increased by five pesos, or 0.7%, from a reported average of 758 CUP.
Over the last week, the euro has surged by 17 pesos, a 2.3% increase, from 746 CUP. On a monthly scale, the current rate is 23 pesos lower than 30 days ago, although this may be due to index adjustments.
During the past month, the euro has ranged from a minimum of 746 CUP to a maximum of 788 CUP. It stands as the most expensive currency in the Cuban parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 89 pesos.
MLC: An Indicative Value on the Decline
The MLC is trading around 467 Cuban pesos (CUP), with an estimated buying price of 449 CUP and a selling price around 485 CUP. This value should be considered merely indicative due to limited data availability at this time. Compared to the previous day, the MLC has decreased by 1.5 pesos, or 0.3%, from 469 CUP.
However, on a weekly basis, it has seen a significant increase of 50.5 pesos, or 12.1%, from 417 CUP seven days ago. Over the last month, it has ranged from a low of 408 CUP to a high of 529 CUP. Without physical presence, its use is restricted to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
The Gap with the Official Exchange Rate
The official exchange rate from Cuba's Central Bank (Segment III) stands at 636 CUP per dollar and 737 CUP per euro, remaining significantly below the practical rates in the informal currency market.
The difference between the official and informal rates reaches 38 pesos for the dollar and 26 pesos for the euro. Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains far from the informal market's, failing to meet the real demand for foreign currency among the public.
In the past 30 days, the official dollar rate has moved from 608 to 636 CUP, and the euro from 692 to 737 CUP, yet this has not closed the substantial gap with the parallel market.
Context of the Informal Market
The disparity between the official and informal rates highlights the persistent shortage of foreign currency in the state banking system and the high demand for dollars and euros by the public, whether for emigration, importing goods, protecting savings, or making purchases in the private sector. Amidst ongoing inflation, low state salaries, and increased partial dollarization of the economy, every fluctuation in the informal market directly impacts internal prices and Cubans' purchasing power.
USD to CUP Conversion Rates
According to the exchange rates on Saturday, August 29, 2026:
1 USD = 674 CUP.
5 USD = 3,370 CUP.
10 USD = 6,740 CUP.
20 USD = 13,480 CUP.
50 USD = 33,700 CUP.
100 USD = 67,400 CUP.
EUR to CUP Conversion Rates
According to the exchange rates on Saturday, August 29, 2026:
1 EUR = 763 CUP.
5 EUR = 3,815 CUP.
10 EUR = 7,630 CUP.
20 EUR = 15,260 CUP.
50 EUR = 38,150 CUP.
100 EUR = 76,300 CUP.
Methodology
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate Index is an indicator of the Cuban informal market, created by analyzing thousands of currency buying and selling posts on Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam, weights each transaction based on its age, and consolidates a representative value that is updated several times a day.
Understanding the Cuban Currency Market
Why is the informal currency market significant in Cuba?
The informal currency market in Cuba plays a crucial role due to the scarcity of foreign currency in the official banking system. This market provides a more realistic reflection of actual demand and supply, influencing internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
How does the euro compare to the dollar in the Cuban market?
In the Cuban informal market, the euro is currently the most expensive currency, valued higher than the US dollar by 89 pesos. This reflects its demand and the dynamics of the parallel market.
What factors contribute to the currency fluctuations in Cuba?
Currency fluctuations in Cuba are influenced by several factors, including inflation, low state salaries, partial dollarization of the economy, and the high demand for foreign currency for emigration, imports, and savings protection.