This is how the informal market closes in Cuba: the dollar ends the day stable while the euro rises

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By CiberCuba Editorial Team

Sunday, August 2, 2026 - 9:37 PM

The informal market exchange rate closes today with the euro rising and the dollar stable (image created with AI)Photo © ChatGPT

At 8:00 PM, local Cuban time, concludes its session on this Sunday, August 2, 2026, with mixed behavior: the US dollar finishes the day unchanged, while the euro shows a moderate increase. The MLC, on the other hand, provides a reference value that should be approached with caution due to the low volume of transactions recorded during this time frame.

The U.S. dollar is quoted at 673 Cuban pesos (CUP) at the close of this trading session. The U.S. currency remains unchanged compared to the previous session and also compared to the record from a week ago, when it was also at 673 pesos. It continues to reflect the dynamics of the informal market amidst a context of structural currency shortages. It is worth noting that 30 days ago, the dollar was at 645 pesos, indicating a difference of 28 pesos compared to today’s close; however, this month-over-month comparison could partly reflect adjustments in the index methodology rather than solely market movements.

The euro closes the day at 788 Cuban pesos (CUP), which represents an increase of 3 pesos compared to the previous day, when it was at 785 pesos. In the weekly comparison, the European currency is only one peso below the 789 pesos it registered seven days ago, reflecting notable stability in that period. Thirty days ago, the euro was trading at 724 pesos, although, as with the dollar, this difference may include methodological adjustments in the index. It is identified as the most expensive currency in the Cuban parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 115 pesos.

The MLC closes around 479 Cuban pesos (CUP), although this value should be considered as a guideline due to the low volume of recorded transactions. Compared to the previous day, when it was at 475 pesos, it rises by 4 pesos. In the weekly comparison, it falls by 11.5 pesos compared to the 491 it recorded seven days ago. Without physical existence, its use is limited to state-run businesses that accept it, which restricts its circulation compared to cash currencies.

Exchange Rate Evolution

Exchange rate of the dollar USD to CUP: 673 CUP.
Exchange rate of the euro EUR to CUP: 788 CUP.
Exchange rate from MLC to CUP: 479 CUP (indicative value, limited data).

In terms of the highs and lows over the last 30 days, the dollar has fluctuated between a minimum of 645 and a maximum of 675 pesos in the informal market. The euro, on the other hand, has reached a low of 724 pesos and a high of 790 pesos during the same period. The MLC has shown greater volatility, with a range from 410 to 543 pesos, although the reliability of these figures is affected by the low volume of transactions.

The official exchange rate of the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), at 615 CUP per dollar and 707 CUP per euro, remains well below the rates that are in effect in everyday transactions 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 fails to meet the actual demand for foreign currency from the population.

In a scenario of sustained inflation, low state wages and a rising partial dollarization of the economy, any fluctuation in the informal market directly affects internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.

The CiberCuba Exchange Rate 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 disregards atypical offers and spam messages, weighing each transaction based on its recency and consolidating a representative value that is updated several times a day.