This is how the informal market closes in Cuba this Wednesday: The dollar rises and the euro gains ground

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By CiberCuba Editorial Team

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 - 8:34 PM

Dollar and euro on the rise in Cuba (Reference image)Photo © Illustration CiberCuba

At 8:00 PM, local Cuban time, the concludes the day this Wednesday, October 14, 2026, with the dollar on the rise and the euro solidifying its dominant position. The three reference currencies —U.S. dollar, euro, and MLC— end the day above the values recorded the previous day, confirming the sustained pressure on the Cuban peso.

The U.S. dollar is quoted at 795 Cuban pesos (CUP) at the close of this trading session. This represents an increase of 2.5 pesos compared to the previous session, when the average value stood at 793 CUP. From a weekly perspective, the greenback has risen by 27.5 pesos from the 768 CUP recorded seven days ago, which translates to a 3.6% increase. The comparison over 30 days shows a rise of 97.5 pesos from the 698 CUP recorded then, although it is advisable to take this figure with caution, as it may partly reflect adjustments in the index methodology. The dollar also marks its highest point in the last 30 days right in this session, at 795 CUP. It continues to set the pace for the informal market in a context of structural currency shortages.

The euro is priced at 890 Cuban pesos (CUP) at close, representing an increase of 2.5 pesos compared to the previous session, when it closed at 888 CUP. Over the past week, the European currency has risen by 30 pesos from 860 CUP a week ago, a 3.5% increase. Similar to the dollar, the euro today reaches its highest point in the last 30 days, at 890 CUP, compared to a low of 792 CUP during the same period. It exceeds the dollar by 95 pesos, consolidating its dominant position in the Cuban parallel market.

The MLC closes around 587 Cuban pesos (CUP), a value that should be taken as a guideline given the low volume of transactions backing it during this time frame. Compared to the previous day, when it was at 550 CUP, it shows an increase of 36.5 pesos, equivalent to a rise of 6.6%. On a weekly perspective, however, it has decreased by 11.5 pesos from the 598 CUP of seven days ago. With no physical existence, its use is limited to state-run businesses that accept it, restricting its circulation compared to cash currencies.

Exchange rate of the dollar USD to CUP: 795 CUP.
Exchange rate of the euro EUR to CUP: 890 CUP.
Exchange rate from MLC to CUP: 587 CUP (reference value, limited data).

The official exchange rate of the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) is 707 CUP per dollar and 791 CUP per euro, remaining well below the values that prevail in everyday practice in the informal currency market.

Exchange Rate Evolution

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. The gap between the official and informal rates is currently 88 pesos for the dollar and 99 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 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, weighs each transaction based on its age, and consolidates a representative value that is updated several times a day.