The informal currency exchange market in Cuba is witnessing a pause in the recent surge of the U.S. dollar and the euro this Wednesday, while the MLC (Freely Convertible Currency) is experiencing a significant rise.
As of 10:00 a.m. local time, CiberCuba reports the U.S. dollar trading at 698 Cuban pesos (CUP), unchanged from the previous day, although nearing the 700 CUP mark. Meanwhile, the euro is valued at approximately 795 CUP.
Conversely, the MLC has climbed to around 539 CUP.
The dollar is being traded at 698 CUP, with buying at 695 CUP and selling at 700 CUP. This stability marks a temporary halt in the upward trend observed over the past few weeks.
Over the past week, the dollar has increased by 11 pesos from 687 CUP a week ago, a 1.6% rise. Over a 30-day period, it has risen by 34 pesos from 664 CUP recorded in mid-August, though this difference may partially reflect methodological adjustments in the index.
Throughout the last month, the U.S. dollar has fluctuated between a low of 663 CUP and the current high of 698 CUP, highlighting the ongoing pressure on the Cuban peso in the informal market.
In contrast, the euro is trading at 795 CUP, with purchase at 790 CUP and sale at 800 CUP. The change from the previous day is minimal, only half a peso, keeping the euro stable at its highest level over the past month.
Within a week, the euro has gained 17.5 pesos from 778 CUP, equivalent to a 2.3% increase. Thirty days ago, it hovered around 760 CUP, though this comparison might also be subject to methodological adjustments. During this time, it has seen a low of 746 CUP and has now reached a peak of 795 CUP.
The euro also maintains a significant advantage over the dollar, surpassing it by 97 pesos in the Cuban informal market.
The most notable movement of the morning is seen with the MLC, which is around 539 CUP, with a buying reference of 459 CUP and selling at 618 CUP.
Its price has surged by 29.5 pesos compared to the previous day, representing a 5.8% jump. From 462 CUP registered a week ago, the increase reaches 77 pesos, a notable 16.7% hike.
However, the MLC's value should be considered indicative due to the limited number of transactions available at this time and the significant gap between buying and selling offers. Over the last month, its value has ranged between 408 and 542 CUP.
Exchange rates stand as follows: USD to CUP at 698, EUR to CUP at 795, and MLC to CUP at 539. Meanwhile, the official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba for Segment III is 662 CUP per dollar and 764 CUP per euro, still below the values seen in the informal market.
The difference is 36 pesos for the dollar between the official 662 CUP and the parallel market's 698 CUP. For the euro, the gap is 31 pesos, comparing the official 764 CUP to the informal 795 CUP.
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, the disparity with private transactions continues to reflect the high demand for foreign currency in the Cuban economy.
Currency Conversion for U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) — Wednesday, September 16, 2026:
1 USD = 698 CUP
5 USD = 3,490 CUP
10 USD = 6,980 CUP
20 USD = 13,960 CUP
50 USD = 34,900 CUP
100 USD = 69,800 CUP
Currency Conversion for Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) — Wednesday, September 16, 2026:
1 EUR = 795 CUP
5 EUR = 3,975 CUP
10 EUR = 7,950 CUP
20 EUR = 15,900 CUP
50 EUR = 39,750 CUP
100 EUR = 79,500 CUP
200 EUR = 159,000 CUP
Key Currency Exchange Questions in Cuba
Why is the MLC experiencing a significant rise in Cuba?
The MLC's significant rise can be attributed to limited transactions and a wide disparity between buying and selling offers, reflecting the volatility and demand in the informal market.
How does the official exchange rate compare to the informal market in Cuba?
The official exchange rate is lower than the informal market, with the dollar at 662 CUP and the euro at 764 CUP, compared to 698 CUP and 795 CUP in the informal sector, respectively.