The informal currency market in Cuba started Monday, September 7, with varying trends among the three main foreign currencies.
At 10:00 a.m. local time, the U.S. dollar remained unchanged from the previous day, averaging 683 Cuban pesos (CUP). Meanwhile, the euro experienced a slight increase, rising by one peso to reach 776 CUP.
Conversely, the MLC (Moneda Libremente Convertible) showed a decline, trading around 422 pesos. However, this figure should be taken as indicative due to the limited volume of transactions supporting it.
Current Informal Market Exchange Rates
The exchange rate for the U.S. dollar stands at 683 CUP. For the euro, it's 776 CUP, and the MLC is at 422 CUP, which is considered an indicative value due to insufficient data.
U.S. Dollar Stability Amid Weekly Upward Trend
The U.S. dollar remains steady at 683 CUP in the informal market, mirroring the previous day's rate. Despite this stability, a broader view reveals a weekly and monthly upward trend: the dollar was valued at 678 pesos a week ago, marking a five-peso increase over the past seven days (+0.7%).
Over the past month, the dollar has appreciated by 10 pesos from the 673 CUP recorded 30 days ago. However, this change may partly reflect methodological adjustments in the index rather than pure market movements. Over the last 30 days, the dollar's informal market range has been between a low of 663 and a high of 683 pesos.
Euro Sees Slight Rise at Opening
Currently, the euro is trading at 776 CUP, a modest increase from the previous day's 775 CUP. Over the past week, the euro has risen more significantly, climbing from 765 pesos, a gain of 10.5 pesos (+1.4%).
In a 30-day comparison, the euro is 6.5 pesos below the 782 CUP mark from a month ago, though this difference might be influenced by methodological adjustments. Recently, the euro's informal market range has been between a low of 746 and a high of 783 pesos, maintaining a 93-peso lead over the dollar and its stronghold in the Cuban parallel market.
MLC Faces Decline with Limited Data
The MLC is trading around 422 CUP, based on indicative opening data. Given the low transaction volume during this time frame, caution is advised when interpreting this value.
Compared to the previous day, the MLC dropped by 22 pesos (-5%), with a clear short-term downward trend. A week ago, it stood at 464 pesos, marking a 42-peso decline over the week (-9.1%).
In the past month, the MLC has decreased from 449 to 422 pesos, a change that could also be influenced by methodological adjustments. Over the last 30 days, MLC has ranged between a low of 408 and a high of 529 pesos. Without physical existence, its use is confined to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
The Gap Between Informal and Official Rates
The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) is 640 CUP per dollar and 744 CUP per euro, which remains significantly lower than the rates prevailing in the informal currency market.
The disparity is 43 pesos for the dollar and 32 pesos for the euro. Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rates remain far from those in the informal market, failing to meet the actual currency demand among the population.
Notably, the official dollar rate has increased from 621 CUP at the start of August to the current 640 CUP, highlighting a consistent depreciation of the peso in the official channel. The gap between official and informal rates underscores the ongoing currency shortage within the state banking system and the high demand for dollars and euros by the public, whether for emigration, importing goods, safeguarding savings, or making private sector purchases.
Currency Conversion Rates USD to CUP
Based on Monday, September 7, 2026, exchange rates:
- 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
Currency Conversion Rates EUR to CUP
Based on Monday, September 7, 2026, exchange rates:
- 1 EUR = 776 CUP
- 5 EUR = 3,880 CUP
- 10 EUR = 7,760 CUP
- 20 EUR = 15,520 CUP
- 50 EUR = 38,800 CUP
- 100 EUR = 77,600 CUP
Methodology
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate Index is derived from an automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts in Telegram and Facebook groups within the Cuban informal market. The methodology excludes atypical offers and spam, weights each transaction based on its recency, and consolidates a representative value that is updated multiple times daily.
FAQs on Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why does the informal currency market in Cuba have different rates than the official rates?
The informal market rates often differ due to the high demand and limited supply of foreign currencies in Cuba, reflecting a more accurate picture of the economic situation and real demand.
How often are the informal currency rates updated?
The rates in the informal market are updated several times a day, based on real-time data from social media platforms where currency trading occurs.
What factors influence the rise and fall of currency values in the informal market?
Currency values in the informal market are influenced by supply and demand dynamics, economic policies, political developments, and public sentiment towards the Cuban economy.