This is how the informal market closes in Cuba: the dollar and the euro seeking higher values

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By CiberCuba Editorial Team

Saturday, September 26, 2026 - 8:55 PM

Reference imagePhoto © Illustration CiberCuba

At 8:00 PM, local Cuban time, the closes this Saturday, September 26, 2026, with the dollar and euro rising, while the MLC loses ground. The day ends with a picture of sustained pressure on the Cuban peso, with the two most sought-after cash currencies reaching new closing levels.

The US dollar

The U.S. dollar is quoted at 738 Cuban pesos (CUP) at the close of this trading session. This represents an increase of 5 pesos compared to the previous session, when the currency closed at 733 CUP. Over the last week, the dollar has risen by 28.5 pesos—a 4% increase—from the 709 CUP it recorded seven days ago.

The 30-day comparison shows the current exchange rate at 67.5 pesos above the 670 CUP from the end of August, although it is important to note that this difference may partly reflect methodological adjustments in the index.

The value today also coincides with the highest level in the last 30 days, reinforcing the upward trend of recent weeks. The demand for dollars remains high among those looking to protect their savings against the depreciation of the peso.

The euro

The euro is around 840 Cuban pesos (CUP), compared to 836 CUP from the previous day, representing an increase of 4 pesos. On a weekly basis, the European currency has gained 34.5 pesos —a 4.3% increase— from the 805 CUP recorded seven days ago.

Compared to 30 days ago, when it was priced at 756 CUP, the profit amounts to 83.5 pesos, although this comparison should be interpreted carefully due to possible methodological adjustments in the index.

The value today matches the maximum recorded in the last month. It is established as the most expensive currency in the Cuban parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 102 pesos and consolidating its dominant position.

The MLC

The MLC closes the day at around 485 Cuban pesos (CUP), reflecting a decrease of 7 pesos compared to the previous day, when it was at 492 CUP. In the last week, it has fallen by 28.5 pesos — a 5.6% drop — from the 513 CUP recorded a week ago.

It should be noted that this value should be taken as a guideline, given the low volume of transactions that support it during this time frame. Without physical existence, its use is limited to the state-run businesses that accept it, which restricts its circulation compared to cash currencies.

Exchange rate of the dollar USD to CUP: 738 CUP.
Exchange rate of the euro EUR to CUP: 840 CUP.
Exchange rate from MLC to CUP: 485 CUP (reference value, limited data).

The official exchange rate of the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) is 681 CUP per dollar and 776 CUP per euro, remaining well below the values that apply in everyday practice in the informal currency market.

Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate remains very 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 rates currently stands at 57 pesos for the dollar and 64 pesos for the euro.

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 among 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 change 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 from the automated analysis of thousands of currency buying and selling posts in Telegram and Facebook groups; the calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighs each transaction based on its age, and consolidates a representative value that is updated several times a day.