Argentina -- Regulatory Status Regulatory Overview

Published: 2026-04-26 Updated: 2026-04-18 Author: Perplexity Sonar Version 1 Sources cited in: Spanish (4), Unknown (1)

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Argentina has a partial, regulated approach to cryptocurrency and virtual assets, which are legal but not recognized as legal tender. They must be used in private agreements, with Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), known locally as PASVs, required to register and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) rules.[1][2]

Primary Regulatory Bodies

National Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional de Valores, CNV): Primary regulator overseeing VASP registration, compliance, investor protection, and development of the crypto framework. It manages the mandatory VASP registry and recently issued General Resolution No. 1125/2026, allowing virtual assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum to count toward net worth for qualified investor status (threshold around $479,000).[1][2][4][5][7]
Financial Information Unit (Unidad de Información Financiera, UIF): Enforces AML/CTF rules, sets transaction reporting requirements, and aligns with FATF guidelines. VASPs must comply with its standards.[1][2][3]

Key Legislation and Dates

Law N°27,739 (March 2024): Establishes the formal regulatory framework for VASPs, mandates CNV registration, and integrates AML/KYC processes. Full framework takes effect December 31, 2025.[1][2]
Law 27,743: Requires users to declare crypto holdings for tax purposes as part of asset regularization (blanqueo).[2]
General Resolution No. 1125/2026 (CNV): Recognizes virtual assets in net worth calculations for qualified investors.[4][5][7]
Earlier measures: UIF Resolution 300/2014 (AML reporting); 2017 Income Tax Law amendments (taxes crypto profits).[1][3]

Stance on Crypto Trading and Exchanges

Crypto trading and exchanges are permitted under regulation, but VASPs must register with the CNV to operate legally; unregistered ones cannot.[1][2] Profits are taxable, and holdings must be declared.[1][2][3] Financial institutions remain restricted from offering crypto services per a 2022 Central Bank resolution, though President Milei's pro-crypto administration is pushing integration, with some banks testing blockchain systems.[4][5] The Central Bank issues currency exclusively and has issued past risk warnings.[1][3]