Argentina’s central bank says no to crypto in banks this year

Argentina’s central bank has an answer for anyone hoping to buy crypto through their bank app this year. The answer is no. On October 7, 2026, Juan Curutchet, Superintendent of Financial and Foreign Exchange Institutions at the Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA), said there would be no progress this year on bringing digital assets into the country’s banking and payment channels. Commercial banks remain barred from offering crypto services. What the BCRA actually said Curutchet pointed to one main reason for the pause: Argentina’s economic fragility. In his view, the financial system isn’t in shape to absorb a new asset class through regulated channels right now. He did leave a door slightly open. Curutchet indicated that crypto integration could be reconsidered during a potential second presidency of Javier Milei, provided economic conditions improve. Curutchet also addressed chatter that restrictions were about to loosen. He clarified that the BCRA has no near-term plans to change its stance on crypto integration, whatever the rumors suggested. The practical effect is that the status quo holds. The ban the BCRA imposed in May 2022 on commercial banks and payment service providers of...