As the clock struck 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the informal currency exchange market wrapped up its day on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, with both the dollar and the euro experiencing noticeable increases.
The American currency concluded the day trading around 760 Cuban pesos, while the euro surged to approximately 865 pesos.
Meanwhile, the MLC ended the day near 491 pesos. However, this figure should be considered approximate due to the low volume of transactions supporting it. For a comprehensive view, one can consult the complete exchange rate trends in Cuba's informal market.
By the end of the day, the U.S. dollar was valued at 760 Cuban pesos (CUP), marking a 7 pesos increase from the previous day when it was at 753 CUP.
The trend remains upward: over the past week, the dollar has climbed by 35 pesos, a 4.8% rise from a week ago when it was trading at 725 CUP. Compared to 30 days ago, the rate has risen by 82 pesos, though it's important to note that some of this increase might reflect methodological adjustments in the index.
This session saw the dollar reach its peak for the last 30 days, hitting a high of 760 CUP. The dollar continues to be a key player in the informal market amidst a backdrop of structural currency shortages.
Euro's Ascendancy
The euro closed at 865 Cuban pesos (CUP), representing a 10 pesos increase compared to the previous day's 855 CUP. Over the past week, the European currency has risen by 39.5 pesos, a 4.8% increase from the 826 CUP it was at seven days ago.
Like the dollar, the euro also reached its highest point in the last 30 days, with a floor of 765 CUP during this period. A 30-day comparison shows a 96 pesos increase, although this should be read cautiously due to potential methodological adjustments. It surpasses the dollar by 105 pesos, solidifying its stronghold in Cuba's parallel market.
MLC Market Trends
The MLC closed around 491 Cuban pesos (CUP), a value that should be taken as an estimate given the limited transaction volume during this timeframe.
This figure indicates a drop of 8.5 pesos from the previous day when it was at 500 CUP. However, over the past week, it has gained 23 pesos from 468 CUP a week ago.
Lacking physical presence, its use is confined to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Exchange Rate Comparison
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, saw exchange rates as follows: the dollar at 760 CUP, the euro at 865 CUP, and the MLC at a provisional 491 CUP. The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains significantly lower, at 684 CUP per dollar and 775 CUP per euro, far from the practical values seen in the informal currency market.
Despite Segment III being introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains distant from the informal market, failing to meet the real currency demand of the population.
The gap between the official dollar rate (684 CUP) and the informal rate (760 CUP) exceeds 76 pesos; for the euro, the difference between the official 775 CUP and the parallel market's 865 CUP reaches 90 pesos.
In an environment of sustained inflation, low state wages, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, each fluctuation in the informal market directly impacts domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans. The dollar's increase of over 82 pesos in a month—and the euro's nearly 96 pesos rise—illustrates the pressure the Cuban peso faces against foreign currencies.
Cuba's informal currency market operates independently of state financial institutions, functioning through networks of private buy-and-sell transactions. Although not officially acknowledged by the Cuban regime, it effectively dictates the real purchasing power of Cubans.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market, derived from automated analysis of thousands of currency exchange posts on Telegram and Facebook groups.
This calculation excludes atypical offers and spam, weighing each transaction based on its recency and consolidating a representative value updated multiple times daily.
Currency Conversion Rates
U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) Conversion:
- 1 USD = 760 CUP
- 5 USD = 3,800 CUP
- 10 USD = 7,600 CUP
- 20 USD = 15,200 CUP
- 50 USD = 38,000 CUP
- 100 USD = 76,000 CUP
Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) Conversion:
- 1 EUR = 865 CUP
- 5 EUR = 4,325 CUP
- 10 EUR = 8,650 CUP
- 20 EUR = 17,300 CUP
- 50 EUR = 43,250 CUP
- 100 EUR = 86,500 CUP
- 200 EUR = 173,000 CUP
Key Insights on Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why are the dollar and euro rising in Cuba's informal market?
The rise is driven by a combination of factors including sustained inflation, low state salaries, and increased dollarization, all contributing to heightened demand for foreign currency.
How does the informal currency market affect Cuban citizens?
Fluctuations in the informal market directly influence domestic prices and purchasing power, impacting the cost of living for ordinary Cubans.
What is the role of the CiberCuba Exchange Rate?
It serves as an index for the informal market, calculated from a large sample of buy-and-sell posts on platforms like Telegram and Facebook, offering a more accurate reflection of the market's dynamics.