At 8:00 PM, local Cuban time, the informal currency market in Cuba closes this Friday with an unprecedented milestone: and is being exchanged at 803 Cuban pesos (CUP) on average, solidifying a relentless rise that is straining the Cuban economy.
The euro continues its rise and reaches 898 CUP, while the MLC, with scarce and only indicative data, slightly falls to 632 CUP.
The United States dollar (USD)
The US dollar is trading at 803 Cuban pesos (CUP) as of the close this Friday, with a buying rate of 800 CUP and a selling rate of 805 CUP. This marks an increase of 5 pesos compared to the previous day, when the average rate was at 798 CUP.
The milestone is significant: it is the first time that the greenback has surpassed the barrier of 800 pesos in the informal Cuban market.
In the past week, the dollar has risen 27.5 pesos, a 3.5% increase compared to seven days ago, when it was exchanged at 775 CUP. Over the last 30 days, the currency has recorded a rise of 103.5 pesos—an increase of 14.8%—although this comparison may partly reflect methodological adjustments to the index.
Exchange Rate Evolution
The maximum of the last 30 days precisely matches today’s value: 803 CUP. It continues to reflect the pulse of the informal market in a context of structural currency shortages.
The euro (EUR)
The euro is priced at 898 Cuban pesos (CUP), with a buying rate of 895 CUP and a selling rate of 900 CUP. This represents an increase of 2.5 pesos compared to the previous day, when the average exchange rate was 895 CUP. In the past week, the European currency has risen 26 pesos, which is 3% higher than seven days ago, when it was exchanged at 872 CUP.
In the past month, it has accumulated a profit of 102.5 pesos —a 12.9% increase—, although this variation should be interpreted with caution as it may include methodological adjustments. Today, the euro reaches its highest point in the last 30 days: 898 CUP. It surpasses the dollar by 95 pesos, consolidating its dominant position in the Cuban parallel market.
The MLC
The MLC, an exclusively digital currency, stands at around 632 Cuban pesos (CUP) at the close of this trading day, with a purchase price of 506 CUP and a selling price of 757 CUP. This value should be considered as indicative, as the closing range shows limited data for this currency. This represents a decrease of 5.5 pesos compared to the previous day, when the average exchange rate was 637 CUP.
In the last week, however, the MLC has risen 106 pesos, an increase of 20.2% compared to seven days ago. Without physical existence, its use is limited to state-run stores that accept it, which restricts its circulation compared to cash currencies.
Summary of exchange rates
- Exchange rate of the dollar USD to CUP: 803 CUP.
- Exchange rate of the euro EUR to CUP: 898 CUP.
- Exchange rate from MLC to CUP: 632 CUP (indicative value, limited data).
The official exchange rate of the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) is 716 CUP per dollar and 803 CUP per euro, which remains well below the values that prevail in everyday practice in the informal currency market.
Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rate continues to be very distant from that of the informal market and fails to meet the actual demand for foreign currency from the population. In the case of the dollar, the gap between the official rate —716 CUP— and the informal rate —803 CUP— exceeds 87 pesos, a difference that directly penalizes those who depend on the parallel market for their daily transactions.
The gap between the official and informal rates reflects the persistent shortage of foreign currency in the state banking system and the high demand for dollars and euros by 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 variation in the informal market directly impacts internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.
A milestone that marks a before and after
The crossing of the barrier of 800 pesos by the dollar in the Cuban informal market is a unprecedented milestone in the recent history of the island's parallel currency market. The average rate of 803 CUP recorded at the close of this Friday, October 16, 2026 is the highest ever since this index has been tracked. Just 30 days ago, the dollar was trading at 699 CUP; a week ago, at 775 CUP.
The acceleration of the climb in recent days highlights a growing pressure on the Cuban peso that the Cuban regime has been unable to contain. The demand for dollars remains high among those looking to safeguard their savings against the depreciation of the peso, and the supply of foreign currency in the informal market shows no signs of recovery.
The CiberCuba Exchange Rate is an index of the informal Cuban market created through the automated analysis of thousands of currency buying and selling posts on Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighs each transaction based on its recency, and consolidates a representative value that updates several times a day.
Equivalence of United States Dollar (USD) bills to Cuban Peso (CUP), according to the exchange rates of this Friday, October 16, 2026
- 1 USD = 803 CUP
- 5 USD = 4.015 CUP
- 10 USD = 8.030 CUP
- 20 USD = 16,060 CUP
- 50 USD = 40.150 CUP
- 100 USD = 80.300 CUP
Currency exchange rates from Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) as of Friday, October 16, 2026
- 1 EUR = 898 CUP
- 5 EUR = 4.490 CUP
- 10 EUR = 8.980 CUP
- 20 EUR = 17.960 CUP
- 50 EUR = 44,900 CUP
- 100 EUR = 89,800 CUP
- 200 EUR = 179,600 CUP
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