The informal currency market in Cuba witnessed mixed movements on Wednesday, October 21, with both the dollar and euro gaining ground, while the Freely Convertible Currency (MLC) experienced a significant drop.
As of 10:00 a.m. local time in Cuba, the euro reached 910 Cuban pesos (CUP), marking its highest level in the past month, while the dollar stood at 818 CUP.
Informal Market Rates in Cuba
U.S. Dollar (USD): 818 CUP.
Euro (EUR): 910 CUP.
Freely Convertible Currency (MLC): 546 CUP (indicative value due to limited data).
Dollar Stabilizes at 818 Pesos
The U.S. dollar is trading at 818 CUP in the informal market, with a buying rate of 815 CUP and a selling rate of 820 CUP. This represents an increase of one peso from the previous day's reference of 817 CUP, indicating a stable daily comparison.
Over the past week, the American currency has climbed 25 pesos from 793 CUP, reflecting a growth of approximately 3.2%. On a monthly basis, the dollar has risen by 103 pesos from 715 CUP 30 days ago. During this period, its value has fluctuated between a low of 716 CUP and a high of 818 CUP.
Euro Reaches 910 Pesos
The euro saw the most significant daily gain among the currencies analyzed, trading at 910 CUP, with a buying rate of 900 CUP and a selling rate of 920 CUP. This marks an increase of five pesos from the 905 CUP recorded the previous day, a rise of about 0.6%.
In the last seven days, the euro has increased by 22 pesos from 888 CUP a week ago, equivalent to a 2.5% rise. Over the past 30 days, it has moved from 818 to 910 CUP, a difference of 92 pesos. The euro currently exceeds the U.S. dollar by 92 CUP in the Cuban informal market.
MLC Drops to 546 Pesos
The MLC stands around 546 CUP, with a buying rate of 544 CUP and a selling rate of 547 CUP. This figure should be taken as indicative, given the limited data available for this currency during the analyzed time frame.
Compared to the previous day's reference of 576 CUP, the MLC shows a decline of 30.5 pesos, approximately 5.3%. Over the past week, it has dropped five pesos from 551 CUP. In the last 30 days, the MLC has fluctuated between a low of 457 CUP and a high of 665 CUP, indicating significant valuation swings.
Discrepancy with Official Exchange Rates
The informal market rates continue to outpace the official rates set by the Central Bank of Cuba (BCC) for Segment III of the foreign exchange market. According to the reference values for this day, the dollar is officially at 729 CUP, and the euro at 819 CUP.
The difference with the informal market is 89 pesos per dollar and 91 pesos per euro. Over the past 30 days, the official reference for the dollar has increased from 669 to 729 CUP, while the euro has risen from 767 to 819 CUP. Despite these adjustments, both official rates remain below the informal market references.
USD to CUP Conversion
Based on the reference rate of 818 CUP per dollar on Wednesday, October 21, 2026:
1 USD = 818 CUP
5 USD = 4,090 CUP
10 USD = 8,180 CUP
20 USD = 16,360 CUP
50 USD = 40,900 CUP
100 USD = 81,800 CUP
EUR to CUP Conversion
Based on the reference rate of 910 CUP per euro on Wednesday, October 21, 2026:
1 EUR = 910 CUP
5 EUR = 4,550 CUP
10 EUR = 9,100 CUP
20 EUR = 18,200 CUP
50 EUR = 45,500 CUP
100 EUR = 91,000 CUP
200 EUR = 182,000 CUP
Determining the CiberCuba Exchange Rate
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the Cuban informal market, created through the automated analysis of currency exchange posts in Telegram and Facebook groups. The system filters out unusual offers and spam messages, weighs records based on their recency, and calculates a reference rate updated multiple times a day.
Understanding Currency Fluctuations in Cuba
Why are the informal market rates higher than the official rates in Cuba?
The informal market rates are often higher due to the limited availability of foreign currency and high demand, which drives up prices beyond the official rates set by the Central Bank of Cuba.
How frequently do currency rates change in the informal market?
Currency rates in the informal market can change multiple times a day, as they are influenced by supply and demand dynamics and the availability of foreign currency.
What factors contribute to the fluctuation of the MLC rate?
The MLC rate is affected by the scarcity of data, limited availability, and significant fluctuations in demand, making it more volatile compared to other foreign currencies.