By 10:00 a.m. local time in Cuba, the informal currency market witnessed further increases in the value of both the U.S. dollar and the euro on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
The U.S. dollar rose to 733 Cuban pesos, while the euro reached 840 pesos. The MLC, with limited and only indicative data, hovered around 489 pesos.
Current Exchange Rates
Exchange rate for USD to CUP: 733 CUP. Exchange rate for EUR to CUP: 840 CUP. Exchange rate for MLC to CUP: 489 CUP (indicative value, limited data available).
Dollar Hits 30-Day High
The U.S. dollar is trading at 733 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market on this Saturday, marking an increase of 3 pesos from the previous day when it was at 730 pesos.
The American currency has been on a consistent rise; a week ago, it was traded at 708 pesos, reflecting a 25 pesos increase over the last week (+3.5%). Thirty days ago, the average value was 670 pesos, although this comparison might also reflect methodological adjustments rather than mere market movements.
The current value matches the highest level recorded in the past 30 days. The demand for dollars remains high as people look to safeguard their savings against the depreciation of the peso.
Euro Reaches New Heights
The euro is valued at 840 Cuban pesos (CUP), its highest level in the past month. This represents an 8 pesos increase compared to the previous session when it was 832 pesos.
In the last week, the European currency has climbed by 35 pesos (+4.4%), from 805 pesos a week ago. Thirty days ago, the euro was at 760 pesos, but similar to the dollar, this comparison should be considered cautiously due to potential methodological adjustments.
The euro surpasses the dollar by 107 pesos, solidifying its dominant position in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC's Slight Decline
The MLC shows an indicative value of 489 Cuban pesos (CUP).
Due to the limited data available for this time frame, the figure should be viewed with caution. This marks a decrease of 9 pesos compared to the previous day when the indicative value was 498 pesos. Over the past week, it has fallen by 2.5 pesos (-0.5%) from 492 pesos seven days ago.
Without physical existence, its use is restricted to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Official Exchange Rate Disparity Widens
The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) at 681 CUP per dollar and 776 CUP per euro remains significantly lower than the prevailing rates in the informal currency market.
The gap between the official and informal rates is 52 pesos for the dollar and 64 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 rates and fails to meet the real demand for foreign currencies among the population.
In the last month, the official dollar rate increased from 636 to 681 CUP, while in the informal market, it soared from 670 to 733 pesos, highlighting that the gap is widening rather than closing.
In a context of persistent inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, every fluctuation in the informal market directly impacts internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
Methodology of Exchange Rate Index
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate Index is a measure of the Cuban informal market created from the automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts in Telegram and Facebook groups.
The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighting each transaction according to its age and consolidating a representative value updated multiple times a day.
USD to CUP Bill Equivalence according to exchange rates on Saturday, September 26, 2026:
1 USD = 733 CUP 5 USD = 3,665 CUP 10 USD = 7,330 CUP 20 USD = 14,660 CUP 50 USD = 36,650 CUP 100 USD = 73,300 CUP
EUR to CUP Bill Equivalence according to exchange rates on Saturday, September 26, 2026:
1 EUR = 840 CUP 5 EUR = 4,200 CUP 10 EUR = 8,400 CUP 20 EUR = 16,800 CUP 50 EUR = 42,000 CUP 100 EUR = 84,000 CUP 200 EUR = 168,000 CUP
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the dollar in high demand in Cuba?
The dollar is in high demand in Cuba as citizens seek to protect their savings against the depreciating peso, providing more stable purchasing power.
How does the informal market differ from the official exchange rate?
The informal market's exchange rates are typically higher and more responsive to actual demand and supply conditions than the official rates set by the Central Bank of Cuba, which are often lower and less reflective of market realities.
What impact does the gap between official and informal rates have on Cubans?
The widening gap affects the cost of living and purchasing power, as goods and services priced in foreign currencies become more expensive, straining household budgets.