Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: Banco Central da Argentina considers allowing banks to operate cryptocurrencies Original Link:

Banco Central da Argentina considers allowing banks to operate cryptocurrencies

The Central Bank of Argentina is considering allowing traditional banks to trade cryptocurrencies, according to sources cited by the local newspaper La Nacion. According to the publication, a regulation is being drafted, but there is no date yet for it to be presented.

However, a cryptocurrency exchange operating in Argentina told the newspaper that the measure could be approved in April 2026. This has been a relevant topic in the country for quite some time, especially after Javier Milei’s victory in 2023, as he is a strong advocate of digital currencies.

Argentina is one of the countries that uses cryptocurrencies the most in Latin America, mainly due to the long-running economic crisis it faces. Virtual assets are considered protection investments against inflation and, especially, currency fluctuations—two common problems in Argentina.

Experts agree that a measure allowing banks to operate with cryptocurrencies would boost the adoption of these assets, although the impact depends on how the regulation is drafted.

“The Argentine banking system has gone through decades of very strict and restrictive regulation, and the final impact will depend on whether this opening is done with a modern approach or repeats historical limitations,” said Manuel Ferrari, president of the NGO Bitcoin Argentina, to La Nacion.

New wave of adoption

“If banks like Galicia, Santander, or Nación start to offer easier access to bitcoin or stablecoins, a new wave of mass adoption could be generated. Many people who have never taken the first step could approach these technologies through familiar environments,” the expert explained.

Speaking with representatives of cryptocurrency exchanges, La Nacion highlighted that these companies also view regulatory progress positively. “This would encourage many more people to invest in cryptocurrencies, given the ease and security of doing so through their banks,” said Julián Colombo, director of an exchange for South America.

On the banks’ side, the view is also positive. A representative of a major private bank told the newspaper that they do not see this measure as a risk to the banking sector. “We do not consider crypto products as substitutes, but rather as complementary and necessary for the evolution of the banking sector,” he said.

At the same time, the bank clarified that several countries are moving toward a convergence between these two worlds and that, in Argentina, “something similar should happen.”

“We are in constant contact with the Central Bank of Argentina to allow financial institutions to offer their clients the purchase, sale, and custody of cryptocurrencies, as well as asset tokenization,” said the bank.

The newspaper also recalls that banks have already experimented with cryptocurrencies before. Three years ago, Banco Galicia launched a program that lasted only a few days, in which it was possible to purchase some cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Other institutions have carried out similar actions.

However, experts point out that these banks’ programs were quite basic. “When Banco Galicia enabled cryptocurrencies for a few hours, the implementation was very basic: Bitcoin on-chain and USDT on Ethereum. It would not be surprising if, when banks move forward now, they start again with technologically outdated solutions compared to what already exists in the local ecosystem,” Ferrari concluded.