At 10:00 a.m. local Cuban time, the informal currency market in Cuba kicked off the week showing mixed trends.
The U.S. dollar advanced by two pesos compared to the previous session, trading at 785 Cuban pesos, while the euro slightly dipped to 880 pesos, from 878 pesos the day before.
The MLC (a digital currency used for certain transactions) is approximately valued at 534 pesos, although this figure should be considered indicative due to the low volume of transactions backing it on Monday, October 12.
For a complete view of the exchange rate trends in Cuba's informal market, you can consult the detailed data.
The Dollar's Ascent
Currently, the U.S. dollar is priced at 785 Cuban pesos (CUP) in the informal market, with a buying rate of 780 CUP and a selling rate of 790 CUP.
This marks an increase of 2 pesos from the previous day, when the average was 783 CUP. Over the past week, the dollar has climbed from 773 pesos, reflecting a 12-peso rise or a 1.6% increase.
In the last month, the U.S. currency has surged from 693 pesos to its current 785 pesos, although part of this change might be due to methodological adjustments in the index.
The dollar is now at its highest point in the last 30 days, dominating the informal market amid a structural shortage of foreign currency.
Euro's Slight Decline
The euro is priced at 880 Cuban pesos (CUP) today, with a buying rate of 875 CUP and a selling rate of 885 CUP.
Compared to the previous day, when the average was 878 CUP, the euro has dropped by 2 pesos, yet it remains the most expensive currency in Cuba's parallel market.
On a weekly basis, the euro has risen by 5 pesos from the 875 it marked a week ago, a 0.6% increase. From 30 days ago, when it was at 787 pesos, the accumulated gain is 93 pesos, although this should be read cautiously due to potential index adjustments. It surpasses the dollar by 95 pesos, solidifying its dominant position in the informal market.
Indicative Value of MLC
The MLC is currently hovering around 534 Cuban pesos (CUP), with a buying rate of 499 CUP and a selling rate of 569 CUP.
Given the limited volume of transactions recorded during this time frame, this value should be seen as indicative.
Compared to the previous session, when the average was 497 CUP, there's an upward shift of 37 pesos, although the reliability of this figure is limited. A week ago, the MLC stood at 562 pesos, indicating a 5% decline over the week.
Exchange Rate Discrepancies
Over the past month, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 693 CUP and a peak of 785 CUP, the latter being today's rate.
The euro has ranged from 787 CUP to 885 CUP, with the highest point recorded in recent days.
The MLC, displaying more volatility and fewer data points, has varied between 446 CUP and 603 CUP in the same period.
Gap with Official Rates
The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) is 698 CUP for the dollar and 781 CUP for the euro, significantly lower than the rates governing the practical reality in the informal currency market.
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible currency mechanism, its official rate remains far from the informal market and fails to meet the real demand for foreign currency among the population.
Today, the gap between the markets surpasses 87 pesos for the dollar and 99 pesos for the euro.
In a scenario of persistent inflation, low state wages, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, every fluctuation in the informal market directly impacts internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
Methodology
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate Index is an analysis of the Cuban informal market based on automated scrutiny of thousands of currency exchange posts in Telegram and Facebook groups.
The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam, weights each transaction by its recency, and consolidates a representative value updated multiple times daily.
Conversion rates for U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) as of Monday, October 12, 2026:
- 1 USD = 785 CUP
- 5 USD = 3,925 CUP
- 10 USD = 7,850 CUP
- 20 USD = 15,700 CUP
- 50 USD = 39,250 CUP
- 100 USD = 78,500 CUP
Conversion rates for Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) as of Monday, October 12, 2026:
- 1 EUR = 880 CUP
- 5 EUR = 4,400 CUP
- 10 EUR = 8,800 CUP
- 20 EUR = 17,600 CUP
- 50 EUR = 44,000 CUP
- 100 EUR = 88,000 CUP
- 200 EUR = 176,000 CUP
Understanding Cuba's Informal Currency Market
Why is the U.S. dollar rising in Cuba's informal market?
The U.S. dollar is rising due to a structural shortage of foreign currency in Cuba, leading to increased demand in the informal market.
What is the significance of the gap between official and informal exchange rates?
The gap highlights the discrepancy between the official economic policies and the actual market conditions, impacting the real purchasing power of citizens.
How often are the informal market exchange rates updated?
The exchange rates are updated several times a day, based on the analysis of currency exchange posts in social media groups.