As of 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the informal currency market ended on a note of cautious stability this Sunday, September 6, 2026. The US dollar remained unchanged, while the euro experienced a slight dip. Meanwhile, the MLC saw a significant drop, although data should be interpreted carefully. The market closed at historically high levels, showing no signs of a sudden shift in the near future.
US Dollar Remains Unchanged
The US dollar ended the day at 683 Cuban pesos (CUP), the same rate as the previous day. This stability solidifies its position at the highest level recorded in the past 30 days, with a peak of 683 CUP and a low of 663 CUP in that timeframe.
On a weekly scale, the US currency has increased by 6.5 pesos compared to 676 CUP a week ago, marking a 1% rise. Over the past month, the growth is 10 pesos from 673 CUP, although this should be viewed cautiously due to potential index methodology adjustments. The dollar continues to set the tone in a market plagued by a structural lack of foreign currency.
Euro Experiences Slight Decline
By the end of the trading session on Sunday, the euro fell slightly to 775 CUP, two pesos below the previous day's 777 CUP, representing a 0.3% decrease. Despite this minor drop, the euro maintains a positive weekly trend, having been valued at 765 CUP seven days ago, a 1.3% increase translating to a gain of 10 pesos.
Over the month, and considering possible methodological adjustments, the euro is positioned 8 pesos below the 783 CUP it was valued at a month ago. It remains the most expensive currency in Cuba's parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 92 pesos.
MLC Sees Notable Drop
The MLC closed at an indicative average of 415 CUP, though data at this time is scarce and should be treated with caution. It was priced at 441 CUP in the previous session, marking a decrease of 26 pesos or a 5.9% drop.
Looking at the weekly trend, the MLC has also fallen; it was at 466 CUP seven days ago, now down by 51 pesos. Without physical presence, its use is limited to state-run stores that accept it, restricting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
The exchange rate for the US dollar stands at 683 CUP, for the euro at 775 CUP, and the MLC at 415 CUP (indicative value with limited data). The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains at 640 CUP per dollar and 744 CUP per euro, significantly lower than the practical rates 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 population. The gap between the official dollar rate (640 CUP) and the informal rate (683 CUP) is 43 pesos; for the euro, the difference between the official 744 CUP and the informal 775 CUP is 31 pesos.
In a scenario marked by sustained inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, any fluctuation in the informal market directly impacts internal prices and Cuban purchasing power. This Sunday’s closure, with the dollar anchored at its highest in the last month and the euro barely below its recent peaks, highlights a market without structural relief.
Cuba's informal currency market operates outside state financial institutions, through networks of buy-sell transactions between individuals. Although not officially acknowledged by the Cuban government, it effectively determines the real purchasing power of Cubans.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of Cuba's informal market, derived from the automated analysis of thousands of currency exchange postings on Telegram and Facebook groups. It excludes atypical offers and spam, weighs each transaction by age, and consolidates a representative value updated multiple times daily.
Equivalence of US Dollar (USD) bills to Cuban Peso (CUP) according to exchange rates this Sunday, September 6, 2026: 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. Equivalence of Euro (EUR) bills to Cuban Peso (CUP) according to exchange rates this Sunday, September 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 775 CUP, 5 EUR = 3,875 CUP, 10 EUR = 7,750 CUP, 20 EUR = 15,500 CUP, 50 EUR = 38,750 CUP, 100 EUR = 77,500 CUP, 200 EUR = 155,000 CUP.
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
What is the current exchange rate for the US dollar in Cuba’s informal market?
As of September 6, 2026, the US dollar is exchanged at 683 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market.
How does the euro compare to the US dollar in Cuba’s informal market?
In the informal market, the euro is more expensive than the US dollar, trading at 775 CUP compared to the dollar's 683 CUP.
Why is there a difference between official and informal exchange rates in Cuba?
The difference arises from the Cuban government's inability to meet the real demand for foreign currency, leading the informal market to set practical exchange rates that reflect supply and demand dynamics.
What is the MLC and how is it used in Cuba?
The MLC is a digital currency used primarily in state-run stores in Cuba. It lacks physical presence, restricting its circulation compared to cash currencies.