Argentina Recognizes Cryptocurrency as Qualified Investors' Net Worth

Argentina's securities regulator CNV issued General Resolution 1125/2026 recognizing cryptocurrency holdings as part of qualified investors' net worth calculations, allowing virtual assets including cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, and stablecoins to count toward the $479,000 asset threshold required for qualified investor status. The move marks a significant shift in Argentina's cryptocurrency policy under President Javier Milei's administration, which is working to increase crypto recognition across all economic sectors and is expected to lift the Central Bank's 2022 ban that prohibited financial institutions from offering cryptocurrency services. The CNV argues the progressive incorporation of virtual assets into investment portfolios makes their inclusion advisable for demonstrating financial capacity, aiming to democratize markets for audiences interested in digital alternatives like staking and decentralized finance. Meanwhile, the Central Bank is examining a new ruleset to allow banks to offer cryptocurrency services under regulated conditions.

Recognition of Cryptocurrency in Investor Qualification Standards

• ▪The qualified investor classification in Argentina requires nearly $479,000 in assets.
• ▪Cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, and stablecoins can be used as virtual assets under CNV Resolution 1125/2026.
• ▪Before CNV Resolution 1125/2026, cryptocurrency holdings could not be counted toward the asset threshold for qualified investor status in Argentina.
• ▪CNV Resolution 1125/2026 defines virtual assets as any digital representation of value that can be traded and/or transferred digitally and used for payments or investments.
• ▪The Argentine Securities and Exchange Commission (CNV) issued General Resolution 1125/2026 recognizing virtual assets as part of an individual's net worth for qualified investor classification.

Ongoing Banking Restrictions and Expected Policy Changes

• ▪The Central Bank of Argentina's 2022 cryptocurrency restriction is expected to be lifted in the short term under President Milei's administration.
• ▪Some banks in Argentina are testing blockchain-based plumbing for their internal settlements despite the 2022 cryptocurrency ban.
• ▪The Central Bank of Argentina's 2022 cryptocurrency ban was intended to mitigate risks for users of financial services and the financial system as a whole.
• ▪The Central Bank of Argentina is examining the possibility of issuing a new ruleset to allow banks to offer cryptocurrency services.
• ▪The Central Bank of Argentina issued a resolution in 2022 prohibiting financial institutions from offering cryptocurrency services to customers.

Broader Crypto Integration in Argentina's Financial System

• ▪President Milei's administration is opening up to cryptocurrency adoption in Argentina.
• ▪Argentina is working to increase the recognition of cryptocurrency across all sectors of its economy.
• ▪The Argentine Securities and Exchange Commission (CNV) argued that the progressive incorporation of virtual assets into investment portfolios renders their inclusion advisable for demonstrating required financial capacity.

Perspective of Argentine Securities and Exchange Commission (CNV)

• ▪The Argentine Securities and Exchange Commission (CNV) believes virtual assets have become sufficiently incorporated into investment portfolios to warrant inclusion in net worth calculations.
• ▪The Argentine Securities and Exchange Commission (CNV) aims to democratize investment markets by recognizing virtual assets for qualified investor status.
• ▪The Argentine Securities and Exchange Commission (CNV) seeks to open investment markets to audiences interested in staking and decentralized finance platforms.

Perspective of Central Bank of Argentina

• ▪The Central Bank of Argentina prohibited cryptocurrency services in 2022 to protect users of financial services from risks.
• ▪The Central Bank of Argentina is developing a new ruleset to potentially allow banks to offer cryptocurrency services under regulated conditions.

Perspective of President Javier Milei's administration

• ▪President Javier Milei's administration is working to increase cryptocurrency recognition across all sectors of Argentina's economy.
• ▪President Javier Milei's administration is pursuing cryptocurrency adoption as part of its economic policy in Argentina.

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