On August 1st, Cuba's informal currency market begins with a day of stability for the two leading currencies.
As of 10:00 a.m. local Cuban time, both the U.S. dollar and the euro remain unchanged from the previous session, while the MLC shows a slight decline. However, this data should be interpreted cautiously due to the low trading volume during this time.
Current Informal Exchange Rates
U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP): 673 CUP.
Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP): 785 CUP.
MLC to Cuban Peso (CUP): 472 CUP (indicative value with limited data).
Dollar's Steady Position and Monthly Trend
The U.S. dollar is trading at 673 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market, maintaining the same rate as the previous day. A week ago, it was at 674 CUP, indicating a marginal difference of just one peso.
Over the past month, however, the pressure on the Cuban peso becomes apparent: 30 days ago, the dollar was around 625 CUP, marking a rise of 48 pesos within that period. It's worth noting that this comparison may also reflect methodological adjustments in the index, not purely market movements.
In the last 30 days, the dollar has ranged between a low of 625 CUP and a high of 675 CUP in the informal market, continuing to set the pace in a context of structural currency scarcity.
Euro Holds as the Most Expensive Parallel Currency
The euro is valued at 785 CUP, unchanged from the previous day and from a week ago. Nonetheless, a monthly comparison reveals significant movement: 30 days ago, the euro hovered around 707 CUP, representing a 78 pesos increase. Similar to the dollar, this figure should be viewed with caution due to potential methodological adjustments.
In the past month, the European currency has reached a maximum of 790 CUP and a minimum of 708 CUP, establishing itself as the most expensive currency in Cuba's parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 112 pesos in today's average value.
MLC's Decline and Indicative Nature
The MLC, a solely digital currency, is approximately 472 CUP based on available data at this opening, a drop of three pesos from the 475 CUP recorded the previous day. A week ago, it stood at 473 CUP, nearly the same level.
In the last month, the MLC has decreased from 500 CUP 30 days ago, with a peak of 543 CUP and a low of 410 CUP during this period. It's important to highlight that the value of the MLC at this hour is indicative, given the limited volume of recorded transactions. Without physical existence, its use is restricted to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Gap Between Informal Market and Official Rates
The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), set at 615 CUP per dollar and 707 CUP per euro on August 1, remains significantly lower than the values prevailing in the day-to-day informal currency market.
The difference is 58 pesos for the dollar and 78 pesos for the euro. Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate is still far from matching the informal market's and fails to meet the population's real currency demand.
It's noteworthy that the official dollar rate has risen from 585 CUP at the beginning of July to the current 615 CUP, reflecting a sustained depreciation of the peso even in the official channel.
In a scenario of ongoing inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, each fluctuation in the informal market directly affects domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
Exchange Rate Methodology
The CyberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market developed from the automated analysis of thousands of currency buy-sell postings in Telegram and Facebook groups.
The calculation discards atypical offers and spam messages, weighs each transaction based on its age, and consolidates a representative value updated several times a day.
Equivalence of U.S. Dollar (USD) Bills to Cuban Peso (CUP), according to exchange rates on Saturday, August 1, 2026:
1 USD = 673 CUP.
5 USD = 3,365 CUP.
10 USD = 6,730 CUP.
20 USD = 13,460 CUP.
50 USD = 33,650 CUP.
100 USD = 67,300 CUP.
Equivalence of Euro (EUR) Bills to Cuban Peso (CUP), according to exchange rates on Saturday, August 1, 2026:
1 EUR = 785 CUP.
5 EUR = 3,925 CUP.
10 EUR = 7,850 CUP.
20 EUR = 15,700 CUP.
50 EUR = 39,250 CUP.
100 EUR = 78,500 CUP.
200 EUR = 157,000 CUP.
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the informal currency market important in Cuba?
The informal currency market in Cuba plays a crucial role because the official exchange rates do not reflect the actual demand and supply conditions, making it a more accurate indicator of the true value of foreign currencies.
How does the exchange rate affect the Cuban economy?
Exchange rates in the informal market can significantly influence the cost of goods and services, impacting inflation and the purchasing power of Cubans, especially in an economy with low state salaries and partial dollarization.
What is the MLC in Cuba?
The MLC is a digital currency used in Cuba, primarily for transactions in state-run stores. It has no physical form, which limits its use compared to cash currencies like the dollar and euro.