While the world’s largest economies are preparing regulations to limit cryptocurrencies, some are embracing them. Argentina, with a GDP of over half a trillion dollars, is not a country to be overlooked. A few hours ago, on behalf of the administration, the Foreign Minister made an important announcement regarding Bitcoin.
Argentina and Bitcoin
El Salvador is happy and profitable today due to its Bitcoin investment. Argentina, battling hyperinflation, is looking for solutions in Bitcoin. It was already expected that good news would come from Argentina after the election of crypto-friendly President Javier Milei.
According to the country’s newly appointed foreign minister, Argentina has approved the making of contracts in BTC. Argentina’s foreign affairs and international trade minister, Diana Modino, stated on her social media account:
“We confirm and verify that you can make contracts with Bitcoin in Argentina. And also with any other type of cryptocurrency…”
They did not explain exactly what they plan regarding cryptocurrencies, but it seems Argentina is preparing to support diversity in exchange.
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, co-founder of Ledn, stated last month after Milei’s election, “Argentinians will soon be able to legally transact with Bitcoin and stablecoins.”
Payment with Everything
Interestingly, the decree “Foundations for the Restructuring of the Argentine Economy” accepted on December 20th allows debtors to trade with items not recognized as legal currency in Argentina. In other words, we’re talking about something like a barter system. This was something we saw in Venezuela while battling high inflation.
People were giving chocolate and filling their warehouses in return. Milei’s approach to money and the fight against inflation is unconventional. He aims to eliminate the local currency and switch entirely to the dollar, but currency trading in the country is still done through the black market.
Whether Bitcoin and the wide range of permitted exchange “items” will help with high inflation is unknown, but Argentina could make a significant impact in the crypto world when it takes official steps.