Crypto License in Argentina

To obtain a license to operate with virtual assets (PSAV/VASP) in Argentina in 2025, companies must comply with several requirements established by the new regulation Resolución General N° 1058:

Mandatory registration with the CNV

Before commencing operations, all crypto service providers must register with the CNV’s special state registry, regardless of their country of registration, if they target the Argentine market.

Full Documentation Required

During the registration phase, extensive documentation must be provided (information on beneficiaries, management structure, financial statements, internal structure and procedures, as well as certificates of no criminal record).

Legal status of the company

The company must be registered in Argentina as an SA or SRL. Foreign companies are required to open a branch or a representative office.

Requirements for foreign VASPs

Companies working with Argentine residents are required to use the “.ar” domain and register with the CNV if at least one of the following conditions is met:

• advertising in the country;
• partnerships with Argentine companies;
• The volume of operations in the country exceeds 20% of the total turnover.

Participation of companies from offshore or high-risk countries (as listed by the FATF) is prohibited.

Categorization of activities and financial thresholds

VASPs are required to classify their activities into established categories, ranging from exchange operations between digital and fiat assets to the storage and management of cryptocurrencies. Each category has different minimum net capital requirements, ranging from $35,000 to $150,000.

Compliance with KYC/AML standards

All PSAVs are required to implement customer identification and transaction monitoring procedures by international standards. This includes risk assessment, transaction monitoring, and mandatory reporting of suspicious activity.

Appointment of a KYC/AML compliance officer

Each PSAV must appoint a dedicated employee responsible for regulatory compliance and internal control. This officer monitors compliance with the rules and reports annually to the CNV.

Customer identification and risk analysis

PSAVs must verify the identity of their customers, assess their risk level, and regularly review the information collected.

Client Asset Segregation

Client digital and fiat assets must be separated from the company’s assets. They cannot be used for corporate purposes and must be recorded in separate accounts and wallets. PSAVs are not entitled to use client assets for their benefit. All actions involving client assets may only be carried out on the client’s direct instructions.

Disclosure of risks to clients, advertising regulation

Companies are required to inform users about potential risks, such as high volatility, legal uncertainty, irreversibility of transactions, and technical failures. All public communications must be transparent and contain risk warnings. The use of the brand by unregistered companies is strictly prohibited.

Audit & Reporting

All providers are required to undergo an annual IT audit, provide detailed operational reports, and submit monthly data to the CNV on customers, transactions, and assets.

Cybersecurity & Transaction monitoring

The implementation of software for automatic analysis of transactions, record keeping, and reporting on customer activities is mandatory. Regulation Resolución General N° 1058 (2025) requires the implementation of multi-level data protection, backup systems, strict access control, and incident response readiness.

Working with third parties

Delegating functions (e.g., asset custody) is possible, but responsibility remains with the PSAV. All contracts with counterparties must be registered and agreed upon with the CNV.

Over the past few years, Argentina has been actively working to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency sector. The government aims to unify the approach to regulating virtual assets and bring it into line with international standards, in particular the FATF recommendations.

The first step in this direction was the adoption in December 2022 of Resolution 17/2022, which granted the National Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional de Valores, CNV) official powers to supervise the cryptocurrency market. The CNV was tasked with developing and enforcing rules governing the activities of virtual asset service providers, as well as ensuring transparency and user protection.

In addition to the CNV, other government agencies are also involved in supervising compliance with cryptocurrency legislation. In particular, the Federal Tax Administration (AFIP) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (Unidad de Información Financiera, UIF) are involved in monitoring financial transactions related to virtual assets, especially in the context of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF).

Regulatory framework.

In 2023, the national authorities began work on a legislative initiative aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing in the crypto sector. As a result, since 2024, several key acts have been adopted in the country that establish the status of virtual asset service providers (PSAVs) and set requirements for their activities.

Below are the main documents that form the legal framework in this area:

• Law No. 27,739.

Adopted in March 2024, this law was a turning point for the regulation of the crypto industry in Argentina. In particular, it introduced an official definition of PSAV into national legislation, enshrining it in Article 4 bis of Law No. 25,246. The law expanded the powers of the National Securities Commission, granting it control over the activities of PSAVs and the maintenance of a centralized Register of Virtual Asset Service Providers. Providers are required to comply with KYC and AML/CFT procedures in line with international standards.

• CNV General Resolution No. 994/2024.

Published on March 25, 2024, the resolution requires mandatory registration of all PSAVs in the CNV registry, which is equivalent to obtaining a license. This condition is mandatory for commencing operations, and failure to comply will result in a ban on operations. The document aims to implement the FATF recommendations on combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

• UIF Resolution No. 49/2024.

This act subjected PSAV activities to control by the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), a body under the Argentine Ministry of Economy. PSAs are recognized as accountable entities and are required to implement KYC procedures, monitor customer transactions, and provide reports. Obligations to implement risk management and internal control systems to minimize financial crimes are also introduced.

• CNV General Resolution No. 1058/2025.

Effective May 20, 2025, the resolution established comprehensive rules for PSAVs that are consistent with FATF standards. Mandatory registration, classification by type of service, capital requirements (US$35,000–150,000), legal form (only S.A. or S.R.L.), and a ban on the participation of offshore companies were introduced. Separation of client and proprietary assets, annual audits, cybersecurity compliance, advertising transparency, and risk disclosure are mandatory.

The transition period for compliance is until July-September 2025, depending on the form of ownership. Full entry into force is December 31, 2025.

Thus, Argentina’s legislative framework for virtual assets is rapidly evolving, ensuring state control and protection of the interests of cryptocurrency market participants within the framework of international standards.

Licensing vs. registration

There is no separate “crypto license” in Argentina in the usual sense, but the activities of service providers related to virtual assets are subject to mandatory registration in the VASP Registry administered by the CNV. This requirement applies to both local companies and foreign providers if they operate in the country or target Argentine users.

Companies providing such services must be registered as a joint-stock company (SA), a limited liability company (SRL), or a branch of a foreign company.

There are also minimum net capital requirements depending on the type of services provided:

• VASP categories 1, 2, and 4 — USD 150,000;
• VASP category 3 — USD 75,000;
• VASP category 5 — USD 35,000.

In addition to registration, companies are required to appoint compliance officers, comply with cybersecurity requirements, and undergo an annual system audit.

Register of crypto companies

According to current legislation, Argentina maintains an official VASP Register, in which all virtual asset service providers must be listed.

Without registration, activities in this area are considered illegal. Inclusion in the register is carried out by the CNV based on the documents submitted and compliance with the established criteria. There are also deadlines for mandatory registration for individuals and legal entities, including foreign companies operating in the country.

After registering with the PSAV in the CNV, companies must comply with several requirements:

Compliance with AML/CFT and KYC regulations

Companies must implement comprehensive anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing systems. This includes customer identification, transaction monitoring, reporting of suspicious activity, and conducting annual risk assessments. These measures are based on international FATF recommendations and are monitored by the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF).

Documentation and internal control

Each crypto company must keep records of its operations, store customer data, submit regular reports to regulatory authorities, and ensure transparency in corporate governance. It is mandatory to develop a compliance policy, appoint responsible persons, audit IT systems, and implement an incident response procedure.

Cybersecurity and asset protection

PSAVs are required to implement multi-layered system protection, backup, secure storage of private keys, and publicly verify their reserves. This is aimed at increasing customer trust and reducing operational risks.

Transparency and customer information

Companies must provide customers with complete information about risks, fees, asset storage conditions, and platform operations. Misleading advertising is prohibited, and only tokens for which official documentation (white paper) is available may be offered.

Travel Rule obligations

Argentina seeks to implement the FATF Travel Rule (Rule 16 for the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, an international standard developed by the FATF), but has not yet adopted a separate law for its implementation. However, as part of their AML/CFT obligations, PSAVs are required to collect and transmit information about the sender and recipient of virtual assets for transactions exceeding a certain threshold (e.g., 6 minimum wages).

Liability for non-compliance

Violation of the established rules may result in a ban on conducting activities, fines (up to ten times the value of transactions, or from 15 to 2,500 units), administrative sanctions, and, in some cases, criminal liability for up to 5 years. Particular attention is paid to compliance with AML/CFT requirements, registration procedures, and the protection of customer rights.

Regulators have broad powers to monitor, inspect, and suspend the activities of non-compliant market participants. In the event of possible illegal activity by an unregistered PSAV, the CNV may request a court order to block the website URL and/or social media username.

In 2025, Argentina will introduce new regulations for cryptocurrencies to increase trust in the industry and protect investors.

Despite criticism from some users, the tough measures are necessary to prevent fraud related to cryptocurrency transactions. That is why the Argentine government’s steps to regulate VASPs are a logical response to market challenges and an attempt to create a safer and more transparent ecosystem.

Our experts are ready to guide you through every step of the process of obtaining a crypto license in Argentina, ensuring legal accuracy and practical support.