As of 10:00 a.m. local time in Havana, the informal currency market in Cuba kicks off the week with an increase in both the dollar and euro, while the MLC (Freely Convertible Currency) sees a decline.
Informal Market Currency Rates
The three key currencies in Cuba's informal market begin the day with exchange rates that continue to pressure the Cuban peso amidst a persistent shortage of foreign currency and little hope for a short-term improvement.
Summary of Informal Market Exchange Rates
USD to CUP: 678 CUP.
EUR to CUP: 765 CUP.
MLC to CUP: 464 CUP (indicative value, limited data).
U.S. Dollar (USD)
The U.S. dollar is trading at 678 Cuban pesos (CUP) within the informal market. This marks an increase of 3 pesos compared to the previous day's rate of 675 CUP.
Over the past week, the dollar has risen by 12 pesos, which is a 1.8% increase from the 666 CUP recorded seven days ago. Compared to 30 days ago, the rate is up by 5 pesos, though this comparison should be approached with caution.
In the last month, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 663 CUP and the current high of 678 CUP, which sets the period's peak. It continues to reflect the dynamics of the informal market amid a structural currency shortage.
Euro (EUR)
The euro is valued at 765 Cuban pesos (CUP), showing an increase of 2 pesos from the previous day's rate of 763 CUP.
In the past week, the euro has gained 10 pesos, equivalent to a 1.3% rise from 755 CUP recorded seven days prior. Over a 30-day span, the euro has decreased by 20 pesos from the 785 CUP benchmark, although this change may partly result from methodological adjustments in the index.
The monthly range has seen a low of 746 CUP and a high of 788 CUP. The euro surpasses the dollar by 87 pesos, reinforcing its dominant position in Cuba's parallel market.
Freely Convertible Currency (MLC)
The MLC is currently at 464 Cuban pesos (CUP), though data in this timeframe is limited. This represents a drop of about 4.5 pesos compared to the previous day's rate of 468 CUP.
Over the past week, the MLC has decreased by 5 pesos, or 1.1%, from the 469 CUP recorded seven days ago. Without physical existence, its use is confined to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains at 634 CUP per dollar and 735 CUP per euro, significantly lower than the practical values in the informal currency market.
Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, yet its official rate remains far from that of the informal market, failing to meet the real currency demand of the population. The gap between the two markets today is 44 pesos for the dollar and 30 pesos for the euro.
In a scenario of sustained inflation, low state wages, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, every change in the informal market directly impacts domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
The informal currency market in Cuba operates independently of state financial institutions, through buy-and-sell networks among individuals. The Cuban regime does not officially recognize it, yet it is the market that effectively determines the real purchasing power of Cubans.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market created from automated analysis of thousands of currency buy-and-sell posts in Telegram and Facebook groups.
The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighting each transaction by its recency and consolidating a representative value updated multiple times a day.
USD to CUP Exchange Equivalence, based on Monday, August 31, 2026 rates:
1 USD = 678 CUP
5 USD = 3,390 CUP
10 USD = 6,780 CUP
20 USD = 13,560 CUP
50 USD = 33,900 CUP
100 USD = 67,800 CUP
EUR to CUP Exchange Equivalence, based on Monday, August 31, 2026 rates:
1 EUR = 765 CUP
5 EUR = 3,825 CUP
10 EUR = 7,650 CUP
20 EUR = 15,300 CUP
50 EUR = 38,250 CUP
100 EUR = 76,500 CUP
200 EUR = 153,000 CUP
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the informal market exchange rate different from the official rate?
The informal market exchange rate differs from the official rate due to supply and demand dynamics. The official rate does not reflect the scarcity of foreign currency and the real purchasing power required by individuals, leading to a significant gap.
How does the informal market impact the Cuban economy?
The informal market affects the Cuban economy by influencing internal prices and the purchasing power of citizens. As the state wages remain low, fluctuations in the informal market can lead to inflation and affect the cost of living.