Pause for the dollar and the euro, but the MLC takes an unexpected leap in Cuba

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By CiberCuba Editorial Team

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - 10:19

Cards in MLC (I) and Cuban money, euros, and dollars (D)Photo © Collage ACN - CiberCuba

The MLC (Freely Convertible Currency) is this Wednesday's most striking movement in the informal currency market in Cuba, with a significant rise that contrasts with the pause of the dollar and the euro after several days of upward pressure.

At 10:00 a.m., local Cuban time, places the MLC at around 539 Cuban pesos (CUP), while the US dollar remains at 698 CUP and the euro hovers around 795 CUP.

The MLC is priced around 539 CUP, with a buying reference of 459 CUP and a selling reference of 618 CUP. Its value has increased by 29.5 pesos compared to the previous day, which is equivalent to a jump of 5.8%.

The movement becomes even more significant in the weekly comparison: compared to the 462 CUP recorded seven days ago, the MLC has increased by 77 pesos, equivalent to 16.7%.

Exchange Rate Evolution

Over the last month, its price has fluctuated between a low of 408 CUP and a high of 542 CUP, so the current value brings it close to the upper end of that range once again.

While the MLC surprises on the rise, the US dollar remains at 698 CUP, with a buying rate of 695 CUP and a selling rate of 700 CUP.

The US dollar shows no changes compared to Tuesday, placing a pause, at least for now, on the upward trend of the past few weeks.

The dollar continues, however, on the verge of 700 CUP. In seven days, it has accrued an increase of 11 pesos compared to the 687 CUP from a week ago, an advance of 1.6%.

The comparison over 30 days places it 34 pesos higher than the 664 CUP recorded in mid-August, although this difference may partially reflect methodological adjustments of the index.

During the last month, the US dollar has fluctuated between a low of 663 CUP and the current high of 698 CUP, reflecting the ongoing pressure on the Cuban peso in the informal market.

For its part, the euro is priced at 795 CUP, with a buying rate of 790 CUP and a selling rate of 800 CUP. The change compared to the previous day is just half a peso, meaning that in practice, the European currency remains stable and at its highest levels in the past month.

In one week, the euro has gained 17.5 pesos from 778 CUP, equivalent to an increase of 2.3%. Thirty days ago, it was around 760 CUP, although that comparison may also be influenced by methodological adjustments.

During that period, the European currency has recorded a low of 746 CUP and now reaches its high of 795 CUP. The euro surpasses the dollar by 97 pesos in the informal Cuban market.

Exchange rate from MLC to CUP: 539 CUP.
Exchange rate of the dollar (USD) to CUP: 698 CUP.
Exchange rate of the euro (EUR) to CUP: 795 CUP.

Meanwhile, the official exchange rate of the Central Bank of Cuba for Segment III is set at 662 CUP per dollar and 764 CUP per euro, still below the values observed in the informal market.

The difference is 36 pesos in the case of the dollar, between the official 662 CUP and the 698 CUP of the parallel market. For the euro, the gap reaches 31 pesos, comparing the official 764 CUP with the informal 795 CUP.

Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, the difference with transactions between individuals continues to reflect the pressure of foreign currency demand in the Cuban economy.