This Monday, Cuba's informal currency market wrapped up with varied performances among its key currencies: the U.S. dollar is on the rise, the euro has slightly declined, and the Cuban peso continues to weaken against foreign currencies.
At 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the informal currency market concluded on October 26, 2026, with the U.S. dollar climbing, the euro slightly dropping, and an MLC with a tentative value that should be approached with caution. The day's outcomes reaffirm the ongoing pressure on the Cuban peso, which continues to depreciate against benchmark currencies.
By the end of Monday, the U.S. dollar was valued at 843 Cuban pesos (CUP), marking an increase of 5 pesos from the prior day when it was at 838 CUP. Over the past week, the U.S. dollar has risen by 30 pesos from the 813 CUP it recorded seven days ago, which translates to a 3.7% increase. Over a 30-day period, there has been a rise of 105 pesos from the 738 CUP noted at the end of September, though this variance might partially reflect adjustments in the index's methodology. Today, the dollar reached its highest point in the past 30 days, solidifying its status as the primary currency in Cuba's informal market.
On the other hand, the euro was valued at 929 CUP at the end of the trading day. This represents a decrease of 1 peso compared to the previous day, when it closed at 930 CUP. Despite this slight decline, the European currency maintains an upward trend on a weekly basis: seven days ago, it was valued at 905 CUP, indicating a gain of 23.5 pesos over the week—a 2.6% increase. Over the last month, the euro has climbed 89 pesos from the 840 CUP recorded 30 days ago, although this comparison should be made cautiously. It surpasses the dollar by 86 pesos, securing its dominant position in Cuba's parallel market.
The MLC shows an average value of 597 CUP at the end of this Monday, although this is a tentative reference that should be taken cautiously given the limited volume of transactions recorded during this time frame. Compared to the previous day, this figure represents an increase of 50 pesos from the 547 CUP recorded on Sunday, and it stands 4 pesos above the 593 CUP from seven days ago. Due to its lack of physical presence, its use is restricted to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Current Exchange Rates in Cuba's Informal Market
The exchange rate for the U.S. dollar (USD) is 843 CUP. The euro (EUR) is at 929 CUP, and the MLC stands at a tentative 597 CUP due to limited data. The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains significantly lower at 743 CUP per dollar and 832 CUP per euro. This gap 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 populace, whether for emigration, importing goods, safeguarding savings, or making purchases in the private sector.
Despite Segment III being introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains far from the informal market rate and fails to meet the population's real currency demands. In a scenario characterized by sustained inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, every change in the informal market directly impacts domestic prices and Cubans' purchasing power.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of Cuba's informal market created through the automated analysis of thousands of foreign exchange buying and selling postings in Telegram and Facebook groups. It excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighs each transaction according to its age, and consolidates a representative value that is updated multiple times a day.
Currency Conversion Examples
Conversion of United States Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) as of October 26, 2026: 1 USD = 843 CUP, 5 USD = 4,215 CUP, 10 USD = 8,430 CUP, 20 USD = 16,860 CUP, 50 USD = 42,150 CUP, 100 USD = 84,300 CUP.
Conversion of Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) as of October 26, 2026: 1 EUR = 929 CUP, 5 EUR = 4,645 CUP, 10 EUR = 9,290 CUP, 20 EUR = 18,580 CUP, 50 EUR = 46,450 CUP, 100 EUR = 92,900 CUP, 200 EUR = 185,800 CUP.
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the Cuban peso losing value?
The Cuban peso is losing value due to persistent economic challenges, including high inflation, low state wages, and the increasing demand for foreign currencies like the dollar and euro, which are used for various economic activities.
What factors contribute to the difference between the official and informal exchange rates?
The gap between official and informal exchange rates is largely due to the scarcity of foreign currency in Cuba's state banking system and the high demand for these currencies on the informal market, driven by needs such as emigration and the importation of goods.