On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 8:00 PM local time, Cuba's informal currency market concluded the day with notable increases in its two primary currencies.
The U.S. dollar closed the session at 725 Cuban pesos, while the euro reached 826 pesos. The MLC, on the other hand, stood at approximately 468 pesos, though this figure should be considered an estimate due to low trading volume during this time frame. For a comprehensive look at the informal exchange rate trends in Cuba, you can explore the full evolution.
U.S. Dollar's Upward Trend
The U.S. dollar finished the day at 725 Cuban pesos (CUP), marking a rise of 5 pesos compared to the previous day, when it wrapped up at 720 pesos. This solid upward trend has been evident over the past week, with the dollar climbing 25.5 pesos, a 3.6% increase. Over the past month, it has gained 57 pesos, an 8.5% rise, although monthly comparisons may partly reflect methodological adjustments in the index.
Throughout the last 30 days, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 668 pesos and the current peak of 725 pesos. Demand for dollars remains high among those seeking to safeguard their savings from the peso's devaluation.
Euro's Dominance in the Market
The euro closed the day at 826 Cuban pesos (CUP), showing a gain of 3 pesos from the previous session, when it stood at 823 pesos. Over the last week, the euro has climbed by 30.5 pesos, a 3.8% increase, and over the past month, it has accumulated an additional 73 pesos, a 9.7% rise. As with the dollar, monthly comparisons might include methodological adjustments.
The euro's highest point in the past 30 days was 827 pesos, just one peso above today's closing rate. It outpaces the dollar by 101 pesos, reinforcing its leading role in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC's Fluctuations and Limitations
The MLC is trading around 468 Cuban pesos (CUP), but this value should be approached with caution due to the limited volume of transactions recorded. Compared to the previous day, the digital currency fell by 24.5 pesos, a 5% drop. However, over the past week, it has gained 18.5 pesos.
In the last 30 days, the MLC has ranged from a low of 415 to a high of 542 pesos. Its use is confined to state-run stores that accept it, which limits its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Disparity Between Official and Informal Rates
The exchange rates for the U.S. dollar to CUP are 725 CUP, for the euro to CUP are 826 CUP, and for the MLC to CUP are 468 CUP (indicative value with limited data). The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) is set today at 673 CUP per dollar and 770 CUP per euro, lagging significantly behind the practical rates in the informal currency market. The gap between the official dollar rate and the informal rate exceeds 52 pesos, while for the euro, the difference is nearly 56 pesos.
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains far removed from the informal market rate and fails to meet the real demand for foreign currency among the population.
Over the past month, the official dollar rate increased from 638 to 673 CUP, while the euro rate rose from 745 to 770 CUP, an adjustment that has not bridged the gap with the parallel market.
In a climate of ongoing inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, every fluctuation in the informal market directly affects internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
This Wednesday's upward closure, with the dollar at its highest in the last 30 days, exacerbates the financial strain on those who rely on the Cuban peso for their daily expenses.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of Cuba's informal market derived from automated analysis of thousands of foreign exchange trading posts in Telegram and Facebook groups.
The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weights each transaction by its age, and consolidates a representative value that is updated multiple times a day.
Equivalence of U.S. Dollar (USD) bills to Cuban Peso (CUP) based on the exchange rates of Wednesday, September 23, 2026: 1 USD = 725 CUP, 5 USD = 3,625 CUP, 10 USD = 7,250 CUP, 20 USD = 14,500 CUP, 50 USD = 36,250 CUP, 100 USD = 72,500 CUP. Equivalence of Euro (EUR) bills to Cuban Peso (CUP) based on the exchange rates of Wednesday, September 23, 2026: 1 EUR = 826 CUP, 5 EUR = 4,130 CUP, 10 EUR = 8,260 CUP, 20 EUR = 16,520 CUP, 50 EUR = 41,300 CUP, 100 EUR = 82,600 CUP, 200 EUR = 165,200 CUP.
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market Trends
What factors are causing the rise in the U.S. dollar and euro in Cuba's informal market?
The increase in the U.S. dollar and euro rates in Cuba's informal market is primarily driven by high demand for foreign currency as residents seek to protect their savings from the devaluation of the Cuban peso.
How does the official exchange rate compare to the informal market rate in Cuba?
The official exchange rates set by the Central Bank of Cuba for the dollar and euro are significantly lower than those in the informal market, leading to a substantial gap and reflecting the official rates' inability to meet real market demand.