This is how the informal market closes in Cuba: The dollar rises and the euro stagnates

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By CiberCuba Editorial Team

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - 8:40 PM

Havana Street and a 100-dollar bill (Reference image)Photo © CiberCuba/ChatGPT

The will close at 8:00 PM, local Cuban time, this Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with a day of mixed behavior among the main currencies.

The U.S. dollar ends on a high note, the euro remains unchanged, and the MLC experiences a slight increase compared to the opening, although its valuation should be approached with caution due to the low trading volume supporting it.

The United States dollar (USD)

The US dollar is quoted at 688 Cuban pesos (CUP) at the close of this Wednesday. This represents an increase of 2.5 pesos compared to the previous day, when it closed at 685 CUP.

In the weekly balance, the greenback has risen by 10 pesos compared to the 678 CUP recorded seven days ago, representing an increase of 1.5%. Over the last month, the U.S. dollar has climbed 17.5 pesos from the 670 CUP seen 30 days ago, although it is important to keep in mind that this comparison may partly reflect methodological adjustments to the index.

Exchange Rate Evolution

In the last 30 days, the dollar has fluctuated between a minimum of 663 CUP and a maximum of 688 CUP, which it reaches today. It continues to set the tone for the informal market in a context of structural currency scarcity.

The euro (EUR)

The euro ends the day at 778 Cuban pesos (CUP), unchanged from the previous session. The European currency thus extends another day of stability in its daily exchange rate; however, in the balance of the last seven days, it has accumulated a gain of 7.5 pesos compared to the 770 CUP from a week ago, an increase of 1%.

Compared to 30 days ago, when it was at 773 CUP, the increase is more moderate, with just 5.00 pesos, and it should be interpreted with caution as it may include methodological adjustments.

In the last month, the euro has fluctuated between a low of 746 CUP and a high of 780 CUP. It is established as the most expensive currency in the Cuban parallel market, exceeding the dollar by 90 pesos at today's closing.

The MLC

The freely convertible currency (MLC) closes around 465 Cuban pesos (CUP), a value that should be considered indicative given the low volume of transactions recorded during this time period.

Compared to the previous day, it has increased by 3.00 pesos from the 462 CUP on Tuesday. However, in the weekly balance, it has decreased by 8.00 pesos compared to the 473 CUP from seven days ago.

In the last month, the MLC has fluctuated between a minimum of 408 CUP and a maximum of 529 CUP, a range that reflects the volatility of a currency with lower liquidity in the informal market. Lacking physical existence, its use is limited to state-run establishments that accept it, which restricts its circulation compared to cash currencies.

Summary of exchange rates as of September 9, 2026

Exchange rate of the dollar (USD) to CUP: 688 CUP.
Exchange rate of the euro (EUR) to CUP: 778 CUP.
Exchange rate from MLC to CUP: 465 CUP (indicative value, limited data).

The official exchange rate of the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III), at 649 CUP per dollar and 754 CUP per euro, remains well below the values that prevail in everyday practice in the informal currency market.

Although Segment III was presented as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains far from that of the informal market and fails to meet the actual foreign currency demand of the population.

The gap between the official and informal exchange rates reflects the ongoing shortage of foreign currency in the state banking system and the high demand for dollars and euros from the population, whether for emigration, importing goods, protecting savings, or making purchases in the private sector.

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

The Exchange Rate of CiberCuba is an index of the Cuban informal market created through the automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts in Telegram and Facebook groups.

The calculation dismisses atypical offers and spam messages, weighs each transaction according to its age, and consolidates a representative value that is updated several times a day.