Find the best cryptocurrency exchanges in Argentina for 2026, with ARS peso support, P2P trading, and platforms designed for Argentine traders navigating inflation.
Argentina's crypto adoption has exploded in recent years, driven largely by peso devaluation and strict capital controls. An estimated 5 million Argentines use crypto, many as a practical hedge against inflation that has exceeded 200% annually. Peer-to-peer trading is the dominant method because of restrictions on buying US dollars. Binance is the most popular platform, while homegrown exchanges like Lemon Cash and Belo offer peso-native experiences.
**How Fees Compare**
Lemon Cash charges zero trading fees for basic buy and sell orders, and supports ARS deposits through bank transfer and Mercado Pago. Belo offers competitive rates and a crypto debit card you can use for everyday spending. Binance P2P charges zero maker fees and supports ARS via bank transfers and Mercado Pago. OKX offers 0.02-0.1% fees with P2P ARS support. Ripio, which was actually founded in Argentina, charges 0.5-1% and focuses on keeping things simple.
**Staying Safe as a Trader in Argentina**
- Use well-established platforms with strong security track records and avoid unlicensed local apps
- Be very cautious of "cueva" (informal exchange) Telegram groups that promise blue-dollar crypto rates. These are often scams
- Enable two-factor authentication via Google Authenticator on every account
- Consider stablecoins like USDT, USDC, and DAI as an inflation hedge rather than jumping into volatile altcoins
- Keep records of your transactions for AFIP (the Argentine tax authority)
**What Sets These Exchanges Apart**
Lemon Cash offers a Visa debit card that automatically converts crypto to pesos at the point of sale, which has made it incredibly popular for daily use. Belo supports stablecoin savings accounts with competitive yields. Binance Argentina has a dedicated local team with Spanish-language support and educational content. Ripio offers tokenized assets and even a credit line backed by your crypto holdings.
**What You Need to Know About Taxes**
Argentina taxes crypto under its "cedular" tax system for digital assets. A 15% tax applies to profits from crypto sales. Swapping one crypto for another also counts as a taxable event. AFIP has ramped up its scrutiny of crypto transactions and now requires exchanges to report customer data. If your total assets exceed the personal property tax threshold, stablecoin holdings may also be subject to the bienes personales (personal property) tax.
Crypto Regulations in Argentina
Argentina regulates crypto under the CNV (Comision Nacional de Valores) with evolving frameworks. A 15% tax applies to digital asset gains under the cedular tax system. AFIP requires exchanges to report user transactions. The BCRA (Central Bank) restricts banks from offering crypto services directly. Despite this, Argentina is one of the most crypto-friendly countries in Latin America with growing institutional adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is crypto legal in Argentina?
Yes. Crypto is legal in Argentina and regulated by the CNV. There are no restrictions on buying or selling crypto, though banks cannot offer crypto services directly.
What is the best crypto exchange in Argentina?
Lemon Cash is the most popular local app with zero fees and a Visa debit card. Binance is the top global platform for P2P ARS trading with the best liquidity.
Do I pay tax on crypto in Argentina?
Yes. A 15% cedular tax applies to crypto gains. Crypto-to-crypto swaps are taxable. AFIP requires exchanges to report transactions. Stablecoin holdings may incur bienes personales tax.
Can I buy crypto with Argentine pesos?
Yes. Lemon Cash, Belo, and Ripio accept ARS via bank transfer and Mercado Pago. Binance and OKX support ARS through P2P trading.
Are stablecoins popular in Argentina?
Yes. USDT, USDC, and DAI are extremely popular as inflation hedges. Many Argentines use crypto debit cards from Lemon Cash or Belo to spend stablecoins at the parallel exchange rate.