In Argentina, cryptocurrency is not just a trend; it’s a financial lifeline. With inflation soaring above 50% annually as of October 2025, millions of Argentinians are turning to digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum as a hedge against the country’s economic instability. As a result, over 10 million people now hold crypto accounts; nearly a quarter of Latin America’s total, according to recent statistics.
Yet, with great innovation comes great responsibility. The Argentine government is working hard to keep up with the rapid crypto boom, balancing financial oversight with the need to support an expanding digital economy. At the heart of this regulatory shift is the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), a set of international tax guidelines developed by the OECD aimed at closing the door on crypto tax evasion.
As of late 2025, Argentina has not yet fully committed to CARF, but its preparations are underway. Let’s explore how Argentina is navigating this new world of crypto taxation and what CARF means for the future.
Argentina’s Crypto Taxation Regulation
Argentina’s journey with cryptocurrency regulation has been shaped by its economic volatility. Since 2017, when the tax authority, AFIP (now ARCA), first classified crypto as taxable assets, the country has slowly but steadily adjusted its approach to digital assets.
By 2021, the Argentine Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) began introducing anti-money laundering (AML) rules for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), aligning with global recommendations. But it was in 2024 that the government took its most significant step with Law No. 27.739, which formally defined virtual assets and set the stage for further regulation. In 2025, CNV Resolution 1058 required VASPs to register and report transactions, making the system more robust.
Argentina’s increasing crypto transaction volumes—peaking at $93.9 billion between 2024 and mid-2025—reflects the growing role of crypto in the local economy. And Buenos Aires has even introduced a “BA Cripto” initiative, allowing residents to pay municipal taxes in cryptocurrency.
The Basics of Argentina’s Crypto Taxation
While Argentina doesn’t have a dedicated tax code for cryptocurrencies, digital assets are treated under the same general tax laws as other forms of income and property. Here’s a breakdown of the key tax elements:
• Income Tax (Impuesto a las Ganancias):
- Individuals: 5% for sales in pesos or 15% for sales in foreign currency (e.g., USD).
- Businesses: Progressive rates between 25% and 35%.
- Mining Rewards: Fully taxable.
• Personal Property Tax (Impuesto sobre los Bienes Personales):
- Taxed at 0.5-1.75% on crypto holdings exceeding ARS 100 million (~USD 100,000) at year-end.
• Value-Added Tax (IVA):
- Exempt, since cryptocurrencies are classified as digital goods.
• International Transfers:
- 5-15% tax on outbound crypto transfers.
• Blanqueo Program:
- A regularization initiative that allows people to declare undeclared crypto holdings at a reduced rate (5-15%).
Compliance Reminder: Individuals and businesses must file their taxes by June 30th every year. VASPs must also report large transactions (greater than six times the minimum wage).
Penalties and Exemptions
To ensure that the crypto tax laws are respected, the Argentine government has implemented strong penalties for non-compliance. Tax evasion can lead to fines up to 100% of the evaded taxes, along with interest and potential criminal charges for repeat offenders.
Exemptions include:
• Holding cryptocurrencies: No tax is levied on simply holding crypto—only on gains from sales, staking, or mining.
• Crypto losses: Traders can offset losses from crypto trading against gains in the same fiscal year, but not against other income types.
What is CARF?
The Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) is an international effort spearheaded by the OECD to combat crypto tax evasion on a global scale. It aims to standardize the way countries report and exchange tax information on crypto transactions, similar to the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) for traditional finance. The first round of CARF data collection will begin in 2026, with the goal of sharing this information globally by 2027-2028.
CARF covers crypto assets like Bitcoin, stablecoins (e.g., USDC), and NFTs, while excluding closed-loop tokens and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Its main goal? Transparency. It requires Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs)—such as exchanges and custodial wallets—to collect detailed user information, including Tax Identification Numbers (TINs), and report this data annually.
Who Must Report Under CARF?
The responsibility to report falls primarily on Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs). These include centralized exchanges like Binance, custodial wallets, brokers, and payment processors.
If you use a self-custody wallet, you’re not directly affected by CARF, but if you send or receive crypto from a VASP, those transactions will likely be flagged.
Argentina’s Technological Readiness for CARF
Although Argentina has yet to fully commit to CARF, the country has made significant strides. ARCA (Argentina’s tax authority) has rolled out online portals for self-declaration, and CNV Resolution 1058 requires VASPs to implement AML/KYC systems. These steps show that Argentina is preparing for full CARF compliance, even if it isn’t there yet.
The Importance of TIN Validation, Ongoing Due Diligence, and Advanced Compliance Tools
Accurate Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) reporting is central to CARF compliance in Argentina. Invalid or missing TINs can result in reporting errors, penalties, and challenges in cross-border data exchange. CARF requires Reporting Crypto-Asset Service Providers (RCASPs) and other entities to perform thorough due diligence, verifying TIN syntax, structure, and authenticity across jurisdictions to ensure precise, auditable reporting.
The accuracy of TINs will be crucial for Argentina’s compliance with CARF, just as it is for other nations. TaxDo, for example, offers a comprehensive solution that streamlines TIN verification and continuous account-holder due diligence, helping financial institutions, VDASPs, and offshore platforms maintain full regulatory compliance under CARF.
TIN Verification Made Precise
• Official Global Real-Time TIN Lookup (GTL): Validates TINs directly against official tax authority databases in over 130 countries, providing the highest level of assurance for compliance in Argentina.
• Global TIN Syntax Verification (GSV): Checks TIN format, structure, and checksum across 195+ jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy for both individual and entity accounts where direct authority verification may not be available.
These tools can automate up to 90% of TIN validation workflows, significantly reducing manual errors, operational overhead, and regulatory risk.
Ongoing Account-Holder Due Diligence
CARF also emphasizes continuous monitoring of accounts for any changes in ownership, residency, or control. TaxDo’s comprehensive Global Identity Intelligence Engine (GIIE) screens account holders against over 290 official global watchlists, including sanctions, AML, and PEP databases, while also flagging accounts under local regulatory scrutiny, such as RBI or CBI.
These advanced due diligence features ensure that institutions meet all regulatory requirements. The ongoing screening service automatically alerts compliance teams of any changes in an account holder’s status, enabling timely action and maintaining continuous compliance. This proactive approach allows for early detection of risks and reinforces the accuracy and reliability of reported data.
Unique Comprehensive Compliance for Argentine Institutions
By combining advanced global TIN compliance validation with global identity intelligence, TaxDo enables banks, RCASPs, and other financial institutions in Argentina to meet all CARF requirements. With TaxDo, organizations can confidently maintain full regulatory compliance, streamline reporting workflows, and mitigate risk—turning complex obligations into an operational advantage.
The Market’s Take on CARF
Market sentiment around CARF adoption is cautiously optimistic. According to a 2025 report, about 14% of non-crypto owners plan to enter the market as regulations mature. While the costs of compliance may be high—especially for smaller VASPs—many see CARF as a necessary step toward legitimizing crypto and encouraging institutional investment.
Economic Impact: A Look Forward
If Argentina commits to CARF in the coming years, it could have a profound impact on the economy. Globally, CARF
is expected to boost tax revenues by USD 500 billion annually. For Argentina, a full commitment could result in a 5% boost to GDP by 2030 as fintech innovation grows.
However, delayed commitment could lead to capital flight, and non-compliance could risk FATF graylisting—which could severely hinder foreign direct investment.
Conclusion: Is Argentina Ready for CARF?
As Argentina continues to develop its crypto tax framework, CARF represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While the country’s path toward full CARF compliance may take a few more years, it’s clear that proactive adaptation is key to building a sustainable crypto ecosystem. With its rich history of financial innovation and growing regulatory maturity, Argentina is well-positioned to embrace these changes, providing a roadmap for other nations in Latin America.