The dollar rises again in Cuba's informal market: The escalation appears to have no end

In recent weeks, the dollar has shown a clearly upward trend, accumulating a sustained increase that has brought it to levels not seen since the onset of the current currency crisis.

Reference image created with Artificial IntelligencePhoto © CiberCuba / Sora

The informal currency market in Cuba opened this Sunday with a further rise of the dollar, consolidating its upward trend from recent weeks and putting pressure on the Cuban peso.

The euro, for its part, remains stable at its recent historical high, while the Convertible Foreign Currency (CFC) continues to show no variations.

Informal exchange rate in Cuba Sunday, October 19, 2025 - 06:40

  • Exchange rate of the dollar (USD) to Cuban pesos CUP: 472 CUP
  • Exchange rate of the euro (EUR) to Cuban pesos (CUP): 525 CUP
  • Exchange rate of (MLC) to Cuban pesos CUP: 200 CUP

According to the daily report from the independent media elTOQUE, the informal exchange rate reached 472 Cuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar (USD) this Sunday, two points higher than its rate from the previous day.

Exchange Rate Evolution

For its part, the euro remained at 525 CUP, solidifying a trend of more stable behavior, experiencing fewer fluctuations, although these are more abrupt than those of the US dollar.

The MLC remains stagnant at 200 CUP, its lowest level since the summer. The sustained decline of this state-controlled virtual currency highlights its diminishing relevance in everyday transactions, due to the limited availability in official stores and the lack of trust among consumers.

On the other hand, the unstoppable rise of the US dollar confirms that the Cuban peso continues to lose ground against the most sought-after currencies on the island.

In recent weeks, the dollar has exhibited a clearly upward trend, accumulating a sustained increase that has brought it to levels not seen since the beginning of the current currency crisis.

In a month, the US dollar has gained over 50 pesos in the informal market, driven by the lack of official currency, an increase in demand among small and medium-sized enterprises, and the ongoing deterioration of confidence in the national currency.

Nevertheless, the euro remains the strongest currency in street trading, after having reached its historical high in previous days. Its recent stability does not imply calm but rather consolidation at a high point that reinforces its role as a safe-haven asset in an economic environment marked by uncertainty.

With this new movement, the informal Cuban market closes another week of instability, with the dollar and the euro setting the pace of an increasingly de facto dollarized economy. Analysts agree: without a credible monetary intervention, the Cuban peso will continue its downward spiral and could end the year at record levels of devaluation.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.