As of 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the informal currency market concluded this Sunday, September 20, 2026, with both the US dollar and the euro gaining ground against the Cuban peso. The two currencies ended the day on a high note compared to the previous day, while the MLC showed a decline, though its rate should be viewed cautiously due to the limited volume of transactions supporting it.
Dollar's Performance in the Market
By the end of the day, the US dollar was trading at 713 Cuban pesos (CUP). This marks an increase of 4 pesos from the previous session when it closed at 709 CUP. Over the past week, the dollar has risen by 19 pesos from the 694 CUP it was at seven days ago, translating to a 2.7% increase. Over the past month, the dollar has surged by 50 pesos from 663 CUP, though this monthly comparison might partially reflect methodological adjustments rather than purely market movements. Today, the dollar reached its highest level in the last 30 days at 713 CUP, compared to a low of 663 CUP within the same period. It continues to set the pace in the informal market amidst a chronic shortage of foreign currency.
Euro's Strong Position
The euro closed at 815 Cuban pesos (CUP), gaining 10 pesos from the previous session when it was valued at 805 CUP. Over the week, the euro has climbed by 24.5 pesos from 791 CUP seven days ago, a 3.1% increase. On a monthly basis, the euro has advanced 67 pesos from 748 CUP 30 days ago, a 9% rise, although this figure should also be interpreted with methodological caution. Today, the euro reached its 30-day peak at 815 CUP, surpassing the dollar by 102 pesos and cementing its dominant position in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC's Decreased Value
The MLC closed around 495 Cuban pesos (CUP), but this figure should be considered indicative due to the limited transaction volume during this time. Compared to the previous day, this represents a drop of 18.5 pesos from 513 CUP. However, over the past week, the MLC has gained 16 pesos from 479 CUP seven days ago. Without physical presence, its usage is confined to state-run stores that accept it, restricting its circulation in comparison to cash currencies.
Official Exchange Rates vs. Informal Market
The exchange rate for the US dollar to CUP is 713 CUP, and for the euro to CUP is 815 CUP. The MLC is valued at 495 CUP (indicative, with limited data). The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) stands at 669 CUP per dollar and 767 CUP per euro, significantly lower than the rates prevalent in the everyday practice of the informal currency market. Today, the gap between the official and informal rates is 44 pesos for the dollar and 48 pesos for the euro.
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rates remain far from those in the informal market and fail to meet the real demand for foreign currency among the populace. Over the past month, the official dollar rate has increased from 635 to 669 CUP, and the euro rate from 742 to 767 CUP, but these official adjustments have not closed the gap with the parallel market, which is advancing at a faster pace.
In a context of sustained inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, fluctuations in the informal market directly impact domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans. This Sunday's closure confirms the relentless pressure on the Cuban peso at the street level.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market, created through automated analysis of thousands of currency exchange listings on Telegram and Facebook groups. It excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighs each transaction according to its age, and consolidates a representative value updated multiple times a day.
US Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) exchange rates as of this Sunday, September 20, 2026:
- 1 USD = 713 CUP
- 5 USD = 3,565 CUP
- 10 USD = 7,130 CUP
- 20 USD = 14,260 CUP
- 50 USD = 35,650 CUP
- 100 USD = 71,300 CUP
Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) exchange rates as of this Sunday, September 20, 2026:
- 1 EUR = 815 CUP
- 5 EUR = 4,075 CUP
- 10 EUR = 8,150 CUP
- 20 EUR = 16,300 CUP
- 50 EUR = 40,750 CUP
- 100 EUR = 81,500 CUP
- 200 EUR = 163,000 CUP
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
What is the current exchange rate for the US dollar in Cuba's informal market?
As of September 20, 2026, the US dollar is trading at 713 Cuban pesos in the informal market.
How does the euro compare to the US dollar in Cuba's parallel market?
The euro currently trades at 815 Cuban pesos, surpassing the US dollar by 102 pesos in the informal market.
Why is there a gap between the official and informal exchange rates in Cuba?
The gap exists because the official rates do not reflect the actual demand and supply dynamics in the market, often falling short of the population's real currency needs.