Argentina scraps tax on regulated crypto exchanges to boost local trading

Argentina has removed a key tax burden for its cryptocurrency sector. Registered and regulated exchanges will no longer pay the country’s transactional cheque tax. The move aims to strengthen domestic trading platforms against offshore competition. The cheque tax normally applies to all credits and debits in bank accounts. For 534 days, local crypto brokers operated at a disadvantage under this rule. The exemption now ends that period of unequal treatment.

The policy targets only compliant exchanges that meet local licensing and reporting standards. It does not cover all market participants but rewards those working within Argentina’s regulatory system.

Strong retail demand for dollar-linked assets and strict currency controls shape the country’s crypto market. High inflation has also driven interest in digital assets as alternative stores of value. The change signals the Milei administration’s push for financial deregulation and improved market access. It may shift trading activity from informal P2P channels to regulated domestic platforms. Greater transparency and oversight could result from the policy adjustment.