This Friday, September 4, 2026, the informal currency market in Cuba experiences a significant increase in the value of its two primary currencies.
By 10:00 a.m. local time in Cuba, both the U.S. dollar and the euro have strengthened compared to the previous day. Meanwhile, the MLC shows a slight decline, though its value remains uncertain due to the limited volume of transactions backing it.
Current Exchange Rates
As of today, the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar against the Cuban peso (CUP) is 683 CUP. The euro stands at 774 CUP, while the MLC is valued at 477 CUP, a figure that should be considered indicative due to sparse data.
U.S. Dollar on the Rise
The U.S. dollar is trading at an average of 683 CUP as the day begins, with buying and selling rates at 680 CUP and 685 CUP, respectively. This marks an increase of five pesos from the previous day when it closed at 678 CUP.
Over the past week, the dollar has risen by 10 pesos from 673 CUP, reflecting a 1.5% increase. Compared to 30 days ago, the current rate is also 10 pesos higher, although such comparisons may partly reflect methodological adjustments rather than pure market shifts.
In the last month, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 663 CUP and its current high of 683 CUP. The demand for dollars remains strong among those seeking to safeguard their savings from the peso's depreciation.
Euro Gains Momentum
The euro starts the day at an average of 774 CUP, with buying at 770 CUP and selling at 777 CUP. This represents a modest daily gain of 0.5 pesos, but in the past week, it has increased by 16 pesos, or 2.1%, from 758 CUP.
When compared to a month ago, the euro is down by 11.5 pesos from 785 CUP, though this figure should be viewed with caution as it may include index methodology adjustments. Over the last month, the euro has ranged between 746 CUP and a peak of 785 CUP, surpassing the dollar by 91 pesos and maintaining its dominant position in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC: An Indicative Value
The MLC currently stands at an average of 477 CUP, with buying at 449 CUP and selling at 505 CUP. This reflects a decrease of 2 pesos from the previous day's 479 CUP.
Over the past week, however, the digital currency has gained 8.5 pesos from 469 CUP. It's important to note that the volume of MLC transactions is minimal, making its value more of a guideline. With no physical presence, its use is limited to state-run stores that accept it, reducing its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Discrepancy 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 742 CUP per euro, significantly lower than the figures in the informal currency market.
For the dollar, the gap between these two markets is 45 pesos, and for the euro, it's 32 pesos. Despite Segment III being introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate continues to fall short of meeting the real currency demand of the population.
In the past month, the official dollar rate has risen from 615 to 638 CUP, and the euro from 709 to 742 CUP, yet the parallel market still dictates the true pace of the Cuban economy.
Currency Equivalents
According to today's exchange rates, the equivalency of U.S. dollar bills to Cuban pesos is as follows:
- 1 USD = 683 CUP
- 5 USD = 3,415 CUP
- 10 USD = 6,830 CUP
- 20 USD = 13,660 CUP
- 50 USD = 34,150 CUP
- 100 USD = 68,300 CUP
For euro bills to Cuban pesos:
- 1 EUR = 774 CUP
- 5 EUR = 3,870 CUP
- 10 EUR = 7,740 CUP
- 20 EUR = 15,480 CUP
- 50 EUR = 38,700 CUP
- 100 EUR = 77,400 CUP
Exchange Rate Methodology
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of Cuba's informal market, derived from automated analysis of thousands of currency exchange postings on platforms like Telegram and Facebook.
This calculation excludes atypical offers and spam, weighs each transaction by its recency, and consolidates a representative value that is updated several times daily.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why are the informal market rates higher than the official rates in Cuba?
The informal market rates in Cuba are often higher due to greater demand for foreign currency and limited supply, which the official rates do not meet. This discrepancy reflects the real economic dynamics and the population's need for hard currency.
How often do the exchange rates in the informal market change?
The exchange rates in the informal market can fluctuate frequently, often updating multiple times a day based on the supply and demand dynamics and market conditions.
What factors contribute to the rise of the U.S. dollar and euro in Cuba?
The rise in value for the U.S. dollar and euro is primarily driven by high demand as people seek to protect their savings from the ongoing devaluation of the Cuban peso, along with economic instability and inflation concerns.