By 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the informal currency market wrapped up trading on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, with the US dollar maintaining its position and the euro losing ground. The greenback closed the day at 663 Cuban pesos, unchanged from the previous session, while the European currency fell to 750 pesos, down from the prior day's 757. The MLC, a digital currency used in Cuba, was around 471 pesos, though this figure is more indicative due to the low trading volume supporting it.
Stability of the US Dollar in a Volatile Market
The US dollar was valued at 663 Cuban pesos (CUP) at the close of the trading day, showing no change from the previous day, and demonstrating remarkable stability in recent times. Over the past week, the dollar has only dipped by 2.5 pesos, representing a 0.4% drop from 665 CUP a week ago. A 30-day comparison, which requires cautious interpretation due to potential methodological adjustments in the index, previously placed the dollar at 666 pesos, a slight difference of 3.5 pesos. Throughout the last month, the dollar fluctuated between a low of 663 and a high of 675 pesos in the informal market, a key indicator in Cuba's structurally scarce currency environment.
Euro's Decline in the Cuban Parallel Market
The euro ended the day at 750 Cuban pesos (CUP), marking a 7-peso decrease compared to the previous day, when it was recorded at 757 CUP. This downward trend extends over the past week, with the euro trading at 760 pesos seven days ago, 10 pesos higher than its current rate. Over the past month, the euro has declined by 17.5 pesos from 768 CUP, though this comparison may be influenced by index methodology adjustments. The euro reached a high of 790 pesos and a low of 750 within the last month, with this closing value being its lowest during the period. It remains 87 pesos above the dollar, solidifying its dominant position in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC's Indicative Value amidst Limited Transactions
The MLC closed around 471 Cuban pesos (CUP), a value to be taken as indicative given the limited number of transactions recorded during this time frame. This reflects a 9.5-peso increase from the previous day's 461 CUP. In a weekly perspective, the MLC has risen by 17.5 pesos from 453 CUP seven days ago. Over the last month, it oscillated between a minimum of 413 and a maximum of 529 pesos. Without a physical presence, its use is confined to state-run stores that accept it, thus restricting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Exchange rates for August 19, 2026, are as follows: USD to CUP at 663, EUR to CUP at 750, and MLC to CUP at 471 (indicative value with limited data). The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) stands at 631 CUP per dollar and 731 CUP per euro, significantly lower than the prevailing rates in the informal currency market.
Despite the introduction of Segment III as a more flexible exchange mechanism, the official rate remains far removed from the informal market and fails to meet the real demand for foreign currency among Cubans. As of Wednesday's close, the gap between the official and informal rates is 32 pesos for the dollar and 19 pesos for the euro.
In a landscape marked by persistent inflation, low state wages, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, every shift in the informal market directly affects domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans. The euro's decline and the dollar's stability at current levels highlight the ongoing tension between the limited currency supply and an unwavering demand.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market, created from the automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts on Telegram and Facebook groups. This calculation excludes atypical offers and spam, weighting each transaction by its age to consolidate a representative value updated several times a day.
Currency conversion rates for US Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) as of August 19, 2026, are as follows: 1 USD = 663 CUP, 5 USD = 3,315 CUP, 10 USD = 6,630 CUP, 20 USD = 13,260 CUP, 50 USD = 33,150 CUP, and 100 USD = 66,300 CUP. Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) rates are: 1 EUR = 750 CUP, 5 EUR = 3,750 CUP, 10 EUR = 7,500 CUP, 20 EUR = 15,000 CUP, 50 EUR = 37,500 CUP, 100 EUR = 75,000 CUP, 200 EUR = 150,000 CUP.
FAQs about Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is there a difference between the official and informal exchange rates in Cuba?
The difference arises because the official rates do not reflect the real demand and supply dynamics in Cuba. The informal market operates based on actual transactions, which often results in higher rates compared to the official ones.
How does the stability of the dollar affect the Cuban economy?
The stability of the dollar in the informal market provides a level of predictability for Cubans dealing in foreign currencies. However, it also highlights the economic challenges posed by a limited supply of foreign currency and ongoing inflation.
What impact does the euro's decline have on Cuba's currency market?
The euro's decline could decrease its attractiveness compared to the dollar, affecting decisions in currency trading and impacting the overall balance between these two major currencies in the market.