Crypto Holding Legality in Argentina: What You Need to Know in 2025

• DATE: 7 12 24
• BY: Stellan Marwick

Can you legally hold cryptocurrency in Argentina in 2025? The short answer is yes-but it’s not as simple as buying Bitcoin and storing it in a wallet. Argentina has one of the highest crypto adoption rates in Latin America, with nearly 30% of adults owning digital assets. Yet, the rules around holding, trading, and using crypto are complex, constantly evolving, and tightly tied to the country’s economic crisis. If you’re thinking about holding crypto here, you need to understand what’s allowed, what’s banned, and what penalties you could face.

Crypto Is Legal to Hold-But Not Legal Tender

Argentina doesn’t treat cryptocurrency as money. Under Article 75, Section 11 of the National Constitution, only the Central Bank can issue legal tender. That means Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDT aren’t accepted for paying taxes, salaries, or public services like they would be in El Salvador. But holding them? Totally legal. The government recognizes crypto as a digital asset, not currency. This distinction matters because it shifts how crypto is treated legally and tax-wise.

The Regulatory Framework That Changed Everything

Before March 2024, crypto operated in a gray zone. Now, everything is governed by Law 27,739, passed on March 14, 2024. This law created a clear system: the National Securities Commission (CNV) is now the main regulator for all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). That includes exchanges, wallet providers, and platforms that facilitate crypto trading.

To operate legally, any company offering crypto services in Argentina must register with the CNV. This isn’t optional. CNV Resolution 994/2024 made registration mandatory, and UIF Resolution 49/2024 forced these providers to report suspicious activity to the Financial Intelligence Unit. Failure to register means your platform can be shut down, fined up to 10 million Argentine pesos (around $10,000 USD), or even face criminal charges.

Who Must Register-and When

The deadlines for registration are staggered and strict:

• Individuals running crypto services: July 1, 2025
• Argentine companies: August 1, 2025
• Foreign companies serving Argentine users: September 1, 2025

Foreign platforms like Coinbase have already registered. Over 100 VASPs are now authorized. But here’s the catch: if a foreign platform makes 20% or more of its revenue from Argentinian customers, it must register-even if it’s based in the U.S. or Singapore. This gives Argentina real control over who can serve its population.

Banking Ban: You Can’t Use Your Bank for Crypto

Here’s the big contradiction: while you can hold crypto, you can’t easily move it through the banking system. On May 4, 2023, the Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) banned banks from offering any crypto-related services. No deposits. No withdrawals. No crypto purchases through your savings account. This was done to protect Argentina’s dwindling foreign reserves.

So how do people buy crypto? Through registered VASPs like Buenbit, Ripio, or Paxful. These platforms act as bridges between fiat and crypto. You can deposit pesos via bank transfer (but not directly for crypto), and then trade. But once you own crypto, you’re on your own. Banks won’t help you cash out or send crypto abroad. That’s why non-custodial wallets-like MetaMask or Ledger-are so popular. They give you full control, and they’re completely legal.

Taxes: You Must Declare Your Crypto

Holding crypto isn’t tax-free. Law 27,743 introduced a mandatory asset declaration program called “blanqueo,” requiring Argentinians to report all digital assets held as of December 31, 2024. If you didn’t declare, you’re at risk of penalties.

Profits from selling crypto are taxed as income. If you bought Bitcoin for $1,000 and sold it for $3,000, that $2,000 gain is taxable. The government also slapped a cross-border tax of 5% to 15% on crypto transfers abroad. That’s meant to stop capital flight, but it’s made sending money to family overseas expensive.

And yes, the tax authority (AFIP) is watching. They’ve been given access to blockchain data through partnerships with analytics firms. If your wallet shows large, unexplained inflows, you could get flagged.

Why Is Crypto So Popular Here?

Argentina had an 82.5% inflation rate in 2024. The peso lost value faster than most people could earn it. That’s why stablecoins like USDT dominate-68% of all crypto transactions are in stablecoins. People aren’t speculating. They’re surviving. Crypto is used to pay for groceries, send remittances, or store savings when the bank account isn’t safe.

The “Cepo Cambiario”-currency controls introduced on April 14, 2025-made it even harder to buy dollars legally. So people turned to crypto. The market is now worth $2.4 billion USD, with $380 million traded monthly. Around 15.3 million adults own crypto. That’s not a trend. It’s a necessity.

What Happens If You Break the Rules?

The penalties are serious. If you run a crypto service without registration, you’re looking at:

• Immediate shutdown of operations
• Fines up to 10 million Argentine pesos
• Asset freezes by the UIF
• Criminal charges for repeated violations

Even individuals aren’t immune. If you’re laundering money through crypto or using unregistered platforms to evade taxes, you can be investigated. The UIF has the power to trace transactions and freeze wallets. It’s not just about fines-it’s about legal risk.

Security and Wallets: What’s Safe?

You can use any wallet you want-cold, hot, hardware, or software. But if you use a custodial wallet (one where the platform holds your keys), it must be provided by a registered VASP. The CNV requires all registered providers to meet ISO/27001 cybersecurity standards. That means your funds should be protected against hacks, but it doesn’t mean you’re safe from scams.

Many users report slow customer service. Trustpilot shows an average 3.8/5 rating across Argentinian platforms, with complaints about 48-hour response times. Always use non-custodial wallets for long-term holding. If you’re holding more than a few hundred dollars, use a hardware wallet. And never share your seed phrase.

What’s Next? DeFi and the Regulatory Sandbox

The government isn’t done. By Q2 2026, they plan to release specific rules for decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. Right now, DeFi protocols like Uniswap or Aave operate in a legal gray area. That’s about to change.

Also coming in March 2026: a regulatory sandbox. This lets startups test new crypto products under temporary supervision. It’s a smart move-encouraging innovation without letting chaos take over.

Real User Experiences

On Reddit, users share mixed stories. One wrote: “Buenbit works fine, but the 15% tax on sending crypto abroad kills me-I just want to help my sister in Spain.” Another said: “I did KYC for a $50 transfer. Felt ridiculous, but I did it. Better safe than fined.”

The system isn’t perfect. It’s bureaucratic, slow, and sometimes overreaching. But it’s working. Argentina has gone from crypto chaos to crypto control-without crushing adoption.