This is how the informal market closes in Cuba: the dollar and the euro end the day on a rise

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By CiberCuba Editorial Team

Monday, August 31, 2026 - 8:35 PM

People, dollars, and euros (Reference image)Photo © CiberCuba

At 8:00 PM, local Cuban time, the closes this Monday, August 31, 2026, with a day marked by increases in both the dollar and the euro. The US dollar ends the day at an average of 678 Cuban pesos, while the euro rises to 769 pesos. The MLC, whose data is indicative due to the low volume of transactions recorded in this range, is around 479 pesos, a figure that should be taken with caution.

The United States dollar (USD)

The US dollar is quoted at 678 Cuban pesos (CUP) at the close of this trading day. This represents an increase of 2 pesos compared to the previous day, when the average value was 676 CUP. Over the last week, the US currency has risen by 10 pesos, which is 1.5% more than the 668 CUP recorded seven days ago. In terms of monthly evolution, the current rate exceeds 5 pesos compared to 30 days ago, although this comparison may partly reflect methodological adjustments to the index. In the last 30 days, the dollar has fluctuated between a low of 663 CUP and the high of 678 CUP that it precisely marks today. It continues to set the tone in the informal market amid a context of structural currency shortages.

The euro (EUR)

The euro is trading at 769 Cuban pesos (CUP) at the close of this Monday. This represents an increase of 4 pesos compared to the previous day, when the average value was 765 CUP. In the past week, the European currency has gained 16.5 pesos, a 2.2% increase from the 753 CUP of seven days ago. Compared to 30 days ago, the euro was at 785 CUP, indicating a decrease of 16 pesos on a monthly basis, although this variation may be influenced by adjustments in the methodology of the index. In the last month, the euro has fluctuated between a minimum of 746 CUP and a maximum of 788 CUP. It surpasses the dollar by 91 pesos, solidifying its dominant position in the Cuban parallel market.

The MLC

The MLC is quoted at around 479 Cuban pesos (CUP), although this value is indicative given the low volume of recorded transactions. This represents an increase of 13 pesos compared to the previous session, when it was at 466 CUP. In the last week, the MLC has risen by 22.5 pesos, a 4.9% increase from the 457 CUP of seven days ago. 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 Evolution

Exchange rate of the dollar USD to CUP: 678 CUP.
Exchange rate of the euro EUR to CUP: 769 CUP.
Exchange rate from MLC to CUP: 479 CUP (indicative value).

The official exchange rate of the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), at 634 CUP per dollar and 735 CUP per euro, remains well below the values that apply in everyday practice in the informal currency market.

Although Segment III was presented as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains very distant from that of the informal market and fails to meet the actual demand for foreign currency from the population. The gap between both markets currently stands at 44 pesos in the case of the dollar and 34 pesos in the case of the euro.

In a context of sustained 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.

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, weights each transaction according to its age, and consolidates a representative value that is updated several times a day.