Argentina Official Says Bank Crypto Services Could Be Considered Under Milei

The possibility of Argentine banks offering crypto services could be considered during a possible second Javier Milei presidency, but no policy change is expected in 2026, a central bank official said.

Juan Curutchet, superintendent of Financial and Foreign Exchange Institutions at the Central Bank of Argentina, raised the issue at the Pulso 2026 payments-industry event on Oct. 7.

“This year it will not happen. I see it as a possible issue during a second presidency of Milei,” Curutchet said. “But I think there is a pending agenda for later.”

His comments described a possible future policy discussion rather than an enacted rule or licensing framework. The timing is not automatic if Milei wins another term, and no timetable, eligible banks, supported crypto assets or compliance requirements have been established.

Argentina currently bars regulated financial institutions from participating directly or indirectly in offering crypto assets to customers. The restriction has been in place since May 2022.

The central bank also said in a May 4, 2023, notice that payment-service providers offering payment accounts may not conduct or facilitate transactions involving digital assets, including crypto assets, unless they are regulated or authorized.

The restrictions are intended to reduce risks to financial-services users and the broader financial system. The scope of any future change, including which institutions or services might be covered, has not been established.

For now, the existing restrictions remain in place, while any broader opening remains a matter for future rulemaking and possible political decisions.