On the morning of Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Cuban local time, the informal currency market in Cuba saw the U.S. dollar experiencing a slight increase, the euro holding steady, and the MLC showing minor upward movement.
These three key currencies in Cuba's black market reflect ongoing pressure on the Cuban peso, amid a chronic shortage of foreign exchange with no signs of relief.
Current Exchange Rates
The exchange rate for the U.S. dollar (USD) to Cuban peso (CUP) stands at 675 CUP. For the euro (EUR) to CUP, it's 763 CUP. Meanwhile, the MLC, though with limited data, is valued at 468 CUP.
Dollar Trends
This Sunday, the U.S. dollar is trading at an average of 675 CUP, with buying at 670 CUP and selling at 680 CUP. This marks a one peso increase from the previous day when it closed at 674 CUP.
Looking at the past week, the dollar has risen noticeably from 664 CUP, marking an increase of 11.5 pesos or 1.7% over the week. Compared to 30 days ago, when it was at 673 CUP, the current rate is just 2 pesos higher, though methodological adjustments in the index should be considered.
In the last month, the dollar has fluctuated between a high of 675 CUP and a low of 663 CUP, with demand remaining strong as people seek to protect savings amid the peso's depreciation.
Euro Stability
The euro remains unchanged from the previous day, averaging 763 CUP, with buying at 755 CUP and selling at 770 CUP.
Although stable over the past 24 hours, the euro has shown a weekly rise, having been around 750 pesos a week ago, a climb of 12.5 pesos or 1.7% this week. Over the last 30 days, however, the euro has decreased by 22.5 pesos from 785 CUP, though this may be influenced by index adjustments.
The euro has reached a 30-day high of 788 CUP and a low of 746 CUP, making it the most expensive currency in the Cuban black market, exceeding the dollar by 88 pesos on average.
MLC Movement
The freely convertible currency (MLC) starts Sunday with an indicative average value of 468 CUP, bought at 438 CUP and sold at 498 CUP.
It has increased by 1 peso since the previous session's 467 CUP. Caution is advised with this figure due to the low transaction volume during this time frame.
Over the past week, the MLC has surged by 57 pesos from 411 pesos, a 13.9% rise, though this should be viewed with caution given the currency's limited liquidity.
Compared to a month ago at 475 CUP, the MLC has dipped by 7 pesos. In the past month, it has ranged from a high of 529 CUP to a low of 408 CUP. Without a physical presence, its use is mainly restricted to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Gap Between Informal and Official Rates
The official exchange rate from Cuba's Central Bank (Segment III) is 634 CUP per dollar and 735 CUP per euro, significantly lower than real-world informal market rates.
The disparity between these markets is 41 pesos for the dollar and 28 pesos for the euro, highlighting the disconnect between the official economy and the everyday reality faced by Cubans.
While Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rates remain far removed from the informal market's and fail to meet the population's actual foreign currency needs.
Over the last month, the official dollar rate has increased from 611 to 634 CUP, and the euro from 704 to 735 CUP, a climb indicating ongoing exchange pressure but still distant from parallel market prices.
Dollar to Cuban Peso Equivalency
Based on exchange rates for Sunday, August 30, 2026:
- 1 USD = 675 CUP
- 5 USD = 3,375 CUP
- 10 USD = 6,750 CUP
- 20 USD = 13,500 CUP
- 50 USD = 33,750 CUP
- 100 USD = 67,500 CUP
Euro to Cuban Peso Equivalency
According to rates for Sunday, August 30, 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 is an index of the Cuban informal market, created from automated analysis of thousands of currency trade posts on Telegram and Facebook groups.
Unusual offers and spam are filtered out, each transaction is weighted by age, and a representative value is consolidated and updated multiple times daily.
Understanding Currency Exchange in Cuba
Why is there a disparity between the official and informal exchange rates in Cuba?
The disparity exists because the official rates do not reflect the real demand and supply dynamics of foreign currencies in Cuba. The informal market rates are driven by actual market conditions and the acute need for foreign exchange amidst economic instability.
What factors contribute to the increasing demand for the U.S. dollar in Cuba?
The increasing demand for the U.S. dollar is fueled by the depreciation of the Cuban peso and individuals seeking to protect their savings from inflation. Additionally, the dollar is widely accepted and offers more purchasing power in the informal economy.
How is the MLC used in Cuba?
The MLC is used primarily in state-run stores that accept it for transactions. It does not have a physical form and is limited in circulation compared to cash currencies, which affects its liquidity and accessibility.