Dollar Holds Steady as Euro Declines in Cuba's Informal Currency Market

The informal currency market in Cuba has wrapped up the day on August 21, 2026, with mixed results. The U.S. dollar remained steady, showing no change from the previous day's rate of 663 Cuban pesos (CUP). In contrast, the euro experienced a decline, dropping by 2 pesos to 748 CUP.

The MLC also saw a significant drop, trading at around 450 CUP, down 17.5 pesos from the previous session. However, its rate should be approached with caution due to the low volume of transactions backing it.

The dollar's steady rate and the euro's decline have continued throughout the week, with the euro experiencing a downward trend that has seen it drop by 12 pesos since last Friday. Over the past month, the euro has fallen by 29.5 pesos from its highest point of 778 CUP on July 22.

The official rate set by Cuba's Central Bank (Segment III) remains significantly lower than the rates prevailing in the informal currency market, with a gap of 28 pesos for the dollar and 6 pesos for the euro. This disparity has significant implications for Cubans relying on foreign currencies to meet their daily needs.