Argentina, one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrency markets, has overtaken Brazil as the top Latin American (Latam) country in terms of estimated crypto inflows by users.
Crypto users in Argentina deposited the largest amount of crypto in Latam between July 2023 and June 2024, with inflows totaling $91 billion, Chainalysis reported on Oct. 9.
With an estimated $91 billion in crypto inflows, Argentina has overtaken Brazil in terms of total crypto value received, ranking slightly ahead of Brazil’s estimated $90 billion during the period.
Latin American countries ranked by crypto value received from July 2023 to June 2024. Source: Chainalysis
Argentina’s stablecoin activity is 17% higher than the global average
The rapid growth in crypto adoption in Argentina comes amid a decades-long battle with inflation and local currency devaluation, forcing Argentinians to seek alternative ways of saving, including using the US dollar or dollar-pegged stablecoins.
According to Chainalysis, Argentina’s stablecoin market is one of the largest in the world in terms of share of stablecoin transactions. It is also among the leaders in the Latam region.
Share of Latam retail-sized transaction volume by asset type versus global average from July 2023 to June 2024. Source: Chainalysis
Argentina’s share of stablecoin transaction volume amounted to 61.8% between July 2023 and June 2024, slightly above Brazil’s share of 59.8%. Argentina’s stablecoin activity is well above the global average of 44.7% but lower than Columbia’s 66%.
The report highlighted that the share of Argentina’s retail-sized stablecoin transactions — those under $10,000 — is growing faster than any other asset type. This trend suggests that Argentinians are relying on stablecoins to protect their finances from inflation and currency instability. The report stated:
“Their interest in stablecoins highlights the role of crypto in unstable markets and how citizens are able to take better control of their financial futures by embracing cryptocurrency, regardless of official monetary policy.”
Tether prioritizes markets like Argentina over developed economies
Argentina’s growing stablecoin activity comes as stablecoin issuer Tether focuses more on emerging markets like Argentina rather than developed economies like the US.
The operator of the world’s largest US dollar-pegged stablecoin, Tether USDt (USDT), Tether recognized Argentina’s need for the “digital dollar,” its CEO Paolo Ardoino told Cointelegraph last week.
“That people want to hold that dollar, not in cash, but in a digital form because it’s much more convenient,” Ardoino said.
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Argentina has increasingly positioned itself as a crypto-friendly country. In late 2023, Argentina officially allowed using Bitcoin (BTC) in legally binding contracts after pro-Bitcoin President Javier Milei took office in December 2023.
Despite Argentina becoming one of the most active jurisdictions in cryptocurrency usage, the local government is yet to regulate the growing market.
Monthly stablecoin trading with the Argentine peso (ARS) on Bitso versus ARS value. Source: Chainalysis
According to Forbes, Argentina struggled to provide regulated cryptocurrency services to its population as of July despite the government making multiple efforts to introduce regulations.
While developed economies like those in Europe have been pushing stablecoin regulations in recent years, Argentina has yet to introduce a stablecoin framework.
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