On Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. local time, Cuba's informal currency market begins the day with increasing pressure on the Cuban peso. The U.S. dollar is on an upward trajectory, accompanied by a similar rise in the euro, while the MLC experiences a sharp decline. However, caution is advised with the MLC due to the limited number of transactions conducted during this period.
The U.S. dollar is currently valued at 883 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market, marking an increase of 11.5 pesos from the previous day when it stood at 871 CUP. This upward trend continues on a weekly and monthly basis; just a week ago, the dollar was valued at 833 pesos, reflecting a 50-peso increase over the past week, equivalent to a 6% rise.
Over the last month, the dollar has surged by 120 pesos from the 763 CUP recorded 30 days ago, a 15.7% increase. It's important to note that this 30-day comparison may partially reflect methodological adjustments in the index. During this period, the dollar has seen a high of 883 CUP—today's value—and a low of 763 CUP, maintaining its influence on the informal market amidst a structural shortage of foreign currency.
Euro's Performance and MLC's Volatility
The euro is trading at approximately 963 Cuban pesos (CUP), a figure to be treated as indicative due to the low volume of transactions at this time. This represents a 13-peso increase from the previous session when it was valued at 950 CUP.
In the past week, the euro has gained 43 pesos from the 920 CUP it was at seven days ago, a 4.7% rise. Over the last month, it has accumulated a 96-peso increase from the 867 CUP recorded 30 days ago, an 11.1% increase, with the same methodological caution applied to the monthly comparison. The euro's highest value in the last 30 days is 967 CUP, while the lowest is 860 CUP, surpassing the dollar by 80 pesos and solidifying its dominant position in the parallel market.
This Saturday, the MLC shows an indicative value of 549 CUP, reflecting the scarcity of data available during this timeframe. This marks an 83.5-peso decrease from the previous day when it was at 632 CUP, a -13.2% change that should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited sample of transactions.
Over the past week, the MLC has dropped 47.5 pesos from the 596 CUP of seven days ago. In the last 30 days, the MLC has fluctuated between a high of 742 CUP and a low of 457 CUP. With no physical presence, its use is confined to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Impact of Currency Fluctuations on Cuban Economy
The exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to CUP is 883 CUP, for the euro to CUP is 963 CUP, and for the MLC to CUP is 549 CUP. The official exchange rate from Cuba's Central Bank (Segment III) remains significantly lower at 768 CUP per dollar and 857 CUP per euro, far from the real-world rates governing the informal currency market.
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rates remain far from the informal market's and fail to meet the real currency demands of the populace. The gap between the official and informal rates for the dollar exceeds 115 pesos, and for the euro, it approaches 106 pesos.
In a scenario marked by sustained inflation, low state wages, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, every fluctuation in the informal market directly affects domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans. The simultaneous rise in both the dollar and the euro this Saturday exacerbates the financial pressure on Cuban households reliant on remittances or in need of foreign currency for daily necessities.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market, compiled from the automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts on Telegram and Facebook groups. This calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighting each transaction by its age and consolidating a representative value updated multiple times a day.
U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) exchange rates for Saturday, October 31, 2026, are as follows:
- 1 USD = 883 CUP
- 5 USD = 4,415 CUP
- 10 USD = 8,830 CUP
- 20 USD = 17,660 CUP
- 50 USD = 44,150 CUP
- 100 USD = 88,300 CUP
Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) exchange rates for Saturday, October 31, 2026, are as follows:
- 1 EUR = 963 CUP
- 5 EUR = 4,815 CUP
- 10 EUR = 9,630 CUP
- 20 EUR = 19,260 CUP
- 50 EUR = 48,150 CUP
- 100 EUR = 96,300 CUP
- 200 EUR = 192,600 CUP
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the informal currency market significant in Cuba?
The informal currency market in Cuba is significant because it reflects the real demand and supply dynamics of foreign currency among the population, offering more realistic rates than the official rates set by the government, which are often disconnected from market realities.
How does the fluctuation of the dollar and euro affect everyday life in Cuba?
Fluctuations in the value of the dollar and euro can directly impact the cost of living in Cuba, as many goods and services depend on foreign currency. Rising exchange rates can increase the prices of imported goods, diminishing purchasing power.
What is the role of the CiberCuba Exchange Rate?
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate serves as a benchmark for the informal market, providing a more accurate reflection of the currency trading landscape by excluding anomalies and spam, and updating regularly based on real-time data.