This Monday, August 24, 2026, the informal currency market in Cuba kicks off with a notable hike in the prices of the country's key foreign currencies.
By 10:00 a.m. local time in Cuba, the U.S. dollar has climbed to 666 Cuban pesos, while the euro has reached 755 CUP.
The MLC, or freely convertible currency, is trading around 469 pesos, marking a significant increase compared to its previous day's value.
Informal Market Exchange Rates
The exchange rates in Cuba's informal market are as follows: the U.S. dollar stands at 666 CUP, the euro at 755 CUP, and the MLC at an indicative 469 CUP.
U.S. Dollar Gains Two Pesos
On this Monday, the U.S. dollar is trading at 666 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market, with buying at 662 CUP and selling at 669 CUP.
This is a rise of two pesos from the previous day, when the average value was 664 CUP.
Over the past week, the U.S. dollar has increased by two pesos compared to the 664 CUP recorded seven days ago.
Looking back a month, the dollar is eight pesos below the 674 CUP of that time, although this comparison may partially reflect methodological adjustments in the index rather than solely market movements.
In the last month, the currency has fluctuated between a low of 663 CUP and a high of 674 CUP.
Euro Rebounds with a Five-Peso Increase
The euro is trading at 755 Cuban pesos (CUP) on this Monday, with buying at 750 CUP and selling at 760 CUP.
This marks a five-peso increase from the previous session, where the average value was 750 CUP.
However, on a weekly basis, the euro has decreased by five pesos compared to the 760 CUP from seven days ago, a drop of 0.7%.
Over the past month, the euro is 30 pesos below the 785 CUP recorded 30 days ago, though this difference may also include methodological index adjustments.
During the last month, the euro has reached a peak of 790 CUP and a low of 746 CUP.
The European currency surpasses the dollar by 89 pesos, solidifying its dominant position in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC: An Indicative Value in a Thin Market
The MLC shows a mean value of 469 CUP this Monday, with buying at 418 CUP and selling at 519 CUP.
This figure should be treated as indicative, given the typically low volume of transactions in this currency during the early hours of trading.
This represents a rise of 57.5 pesos from the previous day's 411 CUP, although the extent of this variation underscores the need for cautious interpretation.
Over the past week, the MLC has increased by five pesos compared to the 464 CUP from seven days ago.
Compared to a month ago, it is four pesos below the 473 CUP from then.
In the last month, the digital currency has ranged from a low of 408 CUP to a high of 529 CUP.
Lacking physical existence, its use is limited to state-run stores that accept it, restricting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
The Gap Between Official and Informal Markets
The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains at 638 CUP per dollar and 745 CUP per euro, significantly lower than the rates prevailing in the informal currency market.
The gap between the two markets amounts to 28 pesos for the dollar and 10 pesos for the euro.
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate continues to be far from the informal market rate, failing to meet the real currency demand of the population.
It's noteworthy that over the past month, the official dollar rate has risen from 601 CUP on July 25 to the current 638 CUP, while the euro has increased from 684 to 745 CUP, reflecting a sustained devaluation of the peso in the official channel.
Context of the Informal Market
The disparity between the official and informal exchange rates highlights the persistent shortage of foreign currency within the state banking system and the high demand for dollars and euros among the Cuban population. This demand arises from needs such as migration, importing goods, protecting savings, or making purchases in the private sector.
In an environment of ongoing inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, each fluctuation in the informal market directly impacts internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
USD to CUP Conversion
According to the exchange rates on Monday, August 24, 2026:
1 USD = 666 CUP
5 USD = 3,330 CUP
10 USD = 6,660 CUP
20 USD = 13,320 CUP
50 USD = 33,300 CUP
100 USD = 66,600 CUP
EUR to CUP Conversion
According to the exchange rates on Monday, August 24, 2026:
1 EUR = 755 CUP
5 EUR = 3,775 CUP
10 EUR = 7,550 CUP
20 EUR = 15,100 CUP
50 EUR = 37,750 CUP
100 EUR = 75,500 CUP
200 EUR = 151,000 CUP
Methodology
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market created through automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts in Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation filters out atypical offers and spam, weighs each transaction by its recency, and consolidates a representative value that is updated multiple times a day.
Understanding Currency Fluctuations in Cuba
Why is there a gap between the official and informal currency markets in Cuba?
The gap exists due to the persistent shortage of foreign currency in the state banking system and high demand among the population for dollars and euros for various needs, such as migration and importing goods. The official rates do not satisfy the real demand, leading to higher rates in the informal market.
How does the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar impact the Cuban economy?
Fluctuations in the U.S. dollar affect internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans. With ongoing inflation and low state salaries, changes in the dollar's value in the informal market can directly influence the cost of goods and services in Cuba.