Last updated: June 2026
In brief
Start-ups operating with crypto-assets and fintech services in Argentina now face a regulatory framework that consolidated between 2025 and 2026. Registration in the Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Registry before the National Securities Commission (CNV) and compliance with the requirements of the Central Bank (BCRA) are no longer optional: today they are a condition for operating lawfully. Knowing what to register, before which authority, and within what deadlines is key to avoiding penalties and to giving the business predictability.
The new regulatory map
The framework rests on two authorities with distinct competences. The CNV regulates virtual asset service providers, while the BCRA focuses on matters relating to means of payment, anti-money-laundering, and the interaction with the traditional financial system.
- CNV — VASP Registry: created and regulated by General Resolutions No. 1058/2025 and No. 1108/2026, which define who must register and what information they must keep up to date.
- BCRA — Communication «A» 8432/2026: sets out reporting obligations and operational safeguards for those involved in the payment chain and in the conversion between virtual assets and legal tender.
What start-ups must register before the CNV
Registration in the VASP Registry requires evidencing and keeping current a set of corporate and operational information. The key items are:
- Corporate data: identification of the company, its corporate purpose, its shareholders, and its ultimate beneficial owners.
- Governance structure: composition of the management body and appointment of compliance officers.
- Description of the service: type of activity carried out with virtual assets (exchange, custody, transfer, intermediation).
- Internal policies: manuals for the prevention of money laundering and the financing of terrorism, cybersecurity, and the safeguarding of client funds.
Obligations before the BCRA
Where the activity touches the payment system or legal tender, the BCRA adds its own requirements. Among them:
- Reporting regime: periodic reporting of transactions and balances in accordance with the guidelines of Communication «A» 8432/2026.
- Traceability of funds: mechanisms enabling the source and destination of transactions to be identified.
- Asset segregation: separation between the company’s own funds and those of its clients.
Risks of non-compliance
Operating outside the registry and the reporting regimes exposes the start-up to administrative penalties, to the inability to bank its operations, and to liabilities towards investors and clients. During funding stages, a lack of regulatory compliance is usually detected in due diligence and may frustrate an investment round.
Practical recommendations
- Early assessment: determine whether the activity qualifies as a VASP before commencing operations.
- Documented compliance: maintain written policies and records evidencing compliance in the event of an inspection.
- Ongoing advice: the framework is evolving; obligations in force should be reviewed periodically.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult our experts.