This is how the informal market closes in Cuba: the dollar and the euro end the day stable

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By CiberCuba Editorial Team

Thursday, July 30, 2026 - 8:21 PM

Street in Cuba and hundred-dollar bill (Reference image)Photo © CiberCuba/ChatGpt

At 8:00 PM, Cuban local time, closes this Thursday, July 30, without any surprises. The US dollar and the euro end the day unchanged compared to the previous session, while the MLC records a slight variation, although its value should be taken as indicative due to the low volume of operations supporting it.

The U.S. dollar is trading at 673 Cuban pesos (CUP) at the close of this Thursday, the same value recorded on the previous day. The North American currency has not experienced any movement compared to yesterday, although it has increased by 3 pesos over the last week—seven days ago it was exchanged at 670 CUP—.

On a monthly basis, the dollar has risen by 57.5 pesos since it was at 615 CUP thirty days ago, although this comparison should be interpreted with caution, as it may partly reflect methodological adjustments to the index. It continues to gauge the pulse of the informal market in a context of structural currency shortages.

The euro closes at 785 Cuban pesos (CUP), unchanged from the previous session. The European currency maintains its lead over the dollar—surpassing the greenback by 112 pesos—driven by limited supply and demand from those receiving remittances from Europe.

Exchange Rate Evolution

In the last seven days, the euro has gained 7 pesos, rising from 778 to 785 CUP. Thirty days ago, it was at 705 CUP, which represents a difference of 80.5 pesos, although this monthly variation may include methodological adjustments to the index. It is stated as the most expensive currency in the Cuban black market.

The MLC closes around 474 Cuban pesos (CUP), a value that should be taken as a guideline given the low volume of transactions recorded in this range. Compared to the previous day, this figure reflects an increase of 2 pesos. Over the past week, the variation is minimal, with only a 1.5 peso increase. With no physical existence, its use is limited to state-run businesses that accept it, which restricts its circulation compared to cash currencies.

Exchange rate of the dollar USD to CUP: 673 CUP.
Exchange rate of the euro EUR to CUP: 785 CUP.
Exchange rate from MLC to CUP: 474 CUP (indicative value, limited data).

Regarding the highs and lows of the last thirty days, the dollar has fluctuated between 615 and 675 CUP, the euro between 704 and 790 CUP, and the MLC between 410 and 543 CUP. The calm of this day contrasts with the sustained upward trend that both major currencies have shown throughout the month.

The official exchange rate of the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), at 608 CUP per dollar and 692 CUP per euro, remains well below the values that prevail in everyday practice in the informal currency market.

Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains far from that of the informal market and does not meet the real demand for foreign currency from the population. The gap between the official and informal rates reflects the persistent shortage of foreign currency in the state banking system and the high demand for dollars and euros by the population, whether for emigration, importing goods, protecting savings, or making purchases in the private sector.

In a scenario of sustained inflation, low state wages, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, every change in the informal market directly impacts internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.

The Exchange Rate of CiberCuba is an index of the informal Cuban market created through the automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts in Telegram and Facebook groups; the calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weights each transaction according to its age, and consolidates a representative value that is updated multiple times a day.