Argentina VASP Overview
- Total Existing VASP License Holders: 132 entities.
- Regulatory Freeze: As of May 2025, the Argentina regulator has:
- Prohibited new VASP registrations.
- Mandated license upgrades for all existing VASP holders.
- Threatened revocation of existing licenses if upgrade requirements are not met.
- Regulatory Uncertainty:
- The newly introduced framework remains legally unclear.
- No known law firm or crypto company has successfully obtained or upgraded a VASP license under the new regime.
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Legal Entity | Corporation or LLC registered in Argentina. |
| Address | Virtual address acceptable; however, physical address preferred. |
| Local Director | Fit and proper. |
| Compliance Officer | Fit and proper. Foreign nationals accepted. |
| Deputy Compliance Officer | Fit and proper. Foreign nationals accepted. |
| Deputy Compliance Officer | AML/CTF Policy, Business Plan, Customer and Compliant Handling Procedure, Cyber Security Policy, Manual Hand book *Must be translated to Spanish and apostilled |
| Capital Requirement | USD 20,000 to USD 150,000 in either fiat or stablecoins. |
| Tax Identification Number | Tax registration is mandatory. |
Notes:
- Bank accounts are not required for initial submission. The bank will only open the operational and client funds segregated accounts after the applicant is fully licensed.
- Although foreign personnel are permitted in key compliance roles, retaining at least one local officer (either Director or Compliance) is strongly recommended for regulatory favorability.
| Name of the firm | Notes |
|---|---|
| Becca Varela | Top tier local law firm. Handed VASP applications for Binance in Argentina. |
| Baker McKenzie | Top tier local law firm. |
| Marval | Top tier local law firm. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a new company register as a VASP in Argentina?
In May 2025, Argentina’s regulator stopped accepting new VASP registrations and told existing VASP holders to upgrade under a new framework, which was described as legally unclear at the time. Because the rules have changed since the framework began, check the regulator’s current position before you plan an application.
What type of company do you need for an Argentina VASP licence?
An Argentina VASP licence needs a corporation or an LLC registered in Argentina. A virtual address is accepted, but a physical address is preferred. The company must also register for tax and hold a tax identification number.
Can a foreigner be the compliance officer of an Argentina VASP?
Yes. Foreign nationals can act as the compliance officer and the deputy compliance officer of an Argentina VASP, as long as they are fit and proper. The company also needs a local director, and keeping at least one local person in the director or compliance role is strongly recommended because the regulator views it more favourably.
Do Argentina VASP application documents have to be in Spanish?
Yes. The AML/CTF policy, business plan, customer complaint handling procedure, cyber security policy and operations manual must be translated into Spanish and apostilled. An apostille is an official stamp that proves a document is genuine for use in another country.
Do you need a bank account before applying for an Argentina VASP licence?
No. A bank account is not required for the first submission of an Argentina VASP application. The bank opens the operating account and the segregated client funds account only after the applicant is fully licensed.