The Argentinian government wants local crypto firms to register with its new sector-specific regulators or cease operations altogether. On March 14, the country's senate passed a law approving the Virtual Asset Service Providers Registry, in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force. 📜

Argentina's National Securities Commission (CNV) said in a statement on March 26 that the regulations were needed to "identify natural and legal entities that offer services related to crypto assets in the country." "Those who are not registered will not be able to operate in the country," said CNV President Roberto E. Silva. 🚫

However, many crypto leaders were surprised that Argentina's new leader, Javier Miliei, who supports small-government libertarianism, showed such a strong regulatory bent. The crypto industry has begun to see Milei as an ally, with both parties recognizing central banking as a common enemy. ⚖️

Manuel Ferrari, co-founder of the Money On Chain protocol, said creating a registry for Bitcoin exchange platforms is a "terrible idea". "Bitcoin is a currency, not a security," he said, adding: "It is as wrong as foreign exchange offices or gold trading shops registering with CNV. Complete nonsense." 💸

Argentina's foreign minister has confirmed that the country's legal tender laws have been abolished starting in December and that contracts and payments can be made in any currency, including Bitcoin. While the value of the digital currency has reached an all-time high of over $70,000, the Argentine peso continues to rapidly lose value, with the annual inflation rate reaching 276% as of February, the country's citizens said. 📈