The informal currency market in Cuba opened with mixed results this Thursday, August 20. While two currencies experienced declines, another remained stable.
At 10:00 a.m. local time, the U.S. dollar held steady compared to the previous day, the euro saw a slight dip, and a notable drop was observed in the MLC (Freely Convertible Currency), although its rate should be viewed cautiously due to the low volume of transactions.
Overview of Today's Exchange Rates
USD to CUP Exchange Rate: 663 CUP
EUR to CUP Exchange Rate: 750 CUP
MLC to CUP Exchange Rate: 471 CUP (indicative value, limited data)
U.S. Dollar (USD): Holding Steady at 663 Pesos
Today's rate for the U.S. dollar in the informal market is 663 Cuban pesos (CUP), with a buying rate of 660 CUP and a selling rate of 665 CUP. This stability mirrors the previous day's rate, maintaining its position at this level.
Looking at the weekly trend, the dollar has slipped just 2 pesos from 665 CUP last week, a decrease of 0.4%.
Compared to a month ago when it was at 667 CUP, the difference is a 4.5 peso decrease (0.7%). However, this comparison might partly reflect methodological adjustments to the index.
In the past month, the dollar has fluctuated between a high of 675 CUP and the current low of 663 CUP. It continues to set the pace in the informal market amid a structural shortage of foreign currency.
Euro (EUR): Slight Decline to 750 Pesos
Today, the euro is valued at 750 Cuban pesos (CUP), with a buying price of 740 CUP and a selling price of 760 CUP.
This marks a decrease of 1 peso from the 751 CUP recorded in the previous session, a drop of 0.1%.
The downward trend becomes more apparent on a weekly scale: seven days ago, the euro was at 760 CUP, indicating a 10 peso loss over the week (1.3%).
Compared to 30 days ago when it was 771 CUP, the cumulative decline is 20.5 pesos (2.7%), though this number might include methodological adjustments to the index.
The last 30 days saw a peak of 790 CUP and the current low of 750 CUP, making it the most expensive currency in the Cuban parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 87 pesos.
MLC: Significant Drop, Indicative Data
The Freely Convertible Currency (MLC) is currently around 471 Cuban pesos (CUP), with a buying price of 441 CUP and a selling price of 501 CUP.
This figure should be taken as indicative, given the limited transaction volume recorded during this timeframe.
Compared to the previous session's 488 CUP, the MLC has seen a decrease of 16.5 pesos, which translates to a 3.4% drop.
In contrast, it was trading at 450 CUP a week ago, marking a weekly gain of 21 pesos (4.7%).
Over the past month, it has ranged widely, from a high of 529 CUP to a low of 413 CUP. With no physical existence, its use is restricted to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Official Rate vs. Informal Market
The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) stands at 631 CUP per dollar and 731 CUP per euro, significantly lower than the rates prevailing in the informal currency market.
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains far from the informal market's and fails to meet the real foreign currency demand of the populace.
The gap between the two markets today is 32 pesos for the dollar and 19 pesos for the euro. In a setting of ongoing inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, each shift in the informal market directly affects internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
USD to CUP Conversion on August 20, 2026
1 USD = 663 CUP
5 USD = 3,315 CUP
10 USD = 6,630 CUP
20 USD = 13,260 CUP
50 USD = 33,150 CUP
100 USD = 66,300 CUP
EUR to CUP Conversion on August 20, 2026
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
Methodology
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market compiled through automated analysis of thousands of currency purchase and sale posts in Telegram and Facebook groups.
The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighting each transaction by its recency and consolidating a representative value that is updated multiple times daily.
Understanding Cuba's Currency Exchange Market
Why does the MLC have limited circulation in Cuba?
The MLC has limited circulation because it does not exist as a physical currency. Its use is confined to state-operated stores that accept it, restricting its availability compared to cash currencies like the U.S. dollar and the euro.
How does the informal market affect the Cuban economy?
The informal currency market impacts the Cuban economy by influencing internal prices and the purchasing power of citizens. As it operates outside the official exchange rates, it often reflects the real demand and supply of foreign currencies, affecting economic stability.