Cuba's Informal Currency Market Sees Dollar and Euro Surge

The informal currency market in Cuba has started Tuesday, September 8, 2026, with both the US dollar and euro on the rise. The US dollar has increased by one peso from the previous session to 684 Cuban pesos (CUP), while the euro surged by two pesos to 778 CUP.

Looking at the weekly trend, the US dollar has gained six pesos compared to 678 CUP seven days ago, reflecting a 0.9% rise. In contrast, the euro's value has increased by 10 pesos over the last week, reaching a 1.3% gain.

The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) remains significantly below the informal market rates, with a gap of 40 pesos for the dollar and 29 pesos for the euro. This disparity reflects the scarcity of foreign currency in the formal market, pushing people to seek alternative sources in the informal exchange.

The MLC, or Moneda Libremente Convertible, has an indicative value of around 417 CUP due to its limited transaction volume. Its use is restricted to state-run stores that accept it, and its value reflects economic conditions within a specific segment of the market.