At 10:00 a.m. local time in Cuba, the informal currency market begins on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with the U.S. dollar experiencing a decline, the euro remaining stable, and the MLC showing no changes compared to the previous day. The day starts off relatively calm in the parallel market, although the greenback has already seen a notable drop compared to levels from a week ago.
The U.S. dollar is trading at 664 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market, with a buying rate around 660 CUP and a selling rate at 668 CUP. This marks a decrease of 1 peso from the previous day, when the average value was 665 CUP. Over the past week, the decline is more pronounced; seven days ago, the dollar averaged 673 CUP, reflecting a drop of 8.5 pesos during that period, equivalent to a 1.3% decrease. On a monthly comparison, the dollar stands 9 pesos above the 655 CUP recorded 30 days ago, although this difference should be interpreted cautiously as it may partially reflect methodological adjustments in the index. Over the last month, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 655 CUP and a high of 675 CUP. It continues to set the pace in the informal market amid a structural currency shortage.
Euro Stability and Weekly Trends
The euro starts the day steady with an average value of 760 CUP, buying at 750 CUP and selling at 770 CUP, showing no changes from the previous session. However, the weekly outlook indicates a significant drop: a week ago, the euro averaged 782 CUP, implying a decrease of 22 pesos within that period, a 2.8% decline. Compared to a month ago, when it traded around 755 CUP, it has gained 5 pesos, although caution is advised here too due to methodological considerations. Over the past month, the euro has reached a high of 790 CUP and a low of 755 CUP, affirming itself as the most expensive currency in Cuba's parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 96 pesos in its average value.
MLC Exchange Rate Movements
The MLC hovers around 457 Cuban pesos, with buying at 434 CUP and selling at 479 CUP, unchanged from the previous day. On a weekly comparison, it rises by 7.5 pesos from 449 CUP a week ago, a 1.7% increase. Compared to 30 days ago when it was at 475 CUP, it has fallen by 18 pesos, though this variation might also respond to methodological adjustments. In the last month, the MLC has ranged between a low of 413 CUP and a high of 496 CUP. It's important to note that the volume of transactions supporting this rate is minimal, so the value should be considered indicative. Without physical existence, its use is limited to state-run stores that accept it, which restricts its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Discrepancies in Official and Informal Exchange Rates
The exchange rates for the dollar, euro, and MLC are significantly higher in the informal market compared to the official rates set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), which remain at 628 CUP per dollar and 727 CUP per euro. Despite being introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, Segment III's official rates continue to fall short of meeting the real currency demand of the population, with a gap of 36 pesos for the dollar and 33 pesos for the euro.
In a context of sustained 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.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market, developed from automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts in Telegram and Facebook groups; the calculation 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.
Understanding Currency Fluctuations in Cuba's Informal Market
Why is the U.S. dollar declining in Cuba's informal market?
The decline in the U.S. dollar in Cuba's informal market is primarily due to fluctuations in demand and supply, influenced by economic conditions, currency shortages, and varying purchasing power.
How does the euro compare to the U.S. dollar in Cuba's informal market?
In Cuba's informal market, the euro is the most expensive currency, currently valued 96 pesos higher than the U.S. dollar on average, reflecting its stability and demand in the market.
What is the official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba?
The Central Bank of Cuba has set the official exchange rates at 628 CUP per U.S. dollar and 727 CUP per euro. These rates are significantly lower than those in the informal market, leading to a disparity in currency availability and demand.