News
Types of Dollar in Argentina: Official, MEP, Card, and Crypto Explained
On October 20, 2026, the official dollar at Banco Nación was trading at $1,540, the MEP at $1,538, and the CCL at $1,620, according to El Economista.
These spreads change over time, and choosing the right type of dollar determines how much each transaction ultimately costs. Here, we explain the differences and which one is best suited to your needs.
Download the belo app and check out how to trade with a dollar balance, depending on your account and current terms.
Why Argentina has so many dollar rates
In Argentina, several US dollar exchange rates coexist simultaneously, each with its own rules, costs, and restrictions.
Understanding the MEP dollar, the official dollar, the card dollar, and the crypto dollar determines how much each foreign currency transaction ultimately costs you, whether it's for traveling, saving, or getting paid from abroad.
When someone asks how many types of dollars there are in Argentina, the short answer is that there are at least five relevant exchange rates for everyday use.
The official dollar is the one bought and sold at banks and exchange houses within the market regulated by the Central Bank.
The MEP dollar (Electronic Payment Market) arises from buying and selling bonds in pesos and dollars within the Argentine stock market. The CCL (Contado con Liquidación) works similarly, but allows you to transfer the dollars to an overseas account.
The card dollar applies when you pay in foreign currency with a card issued in Argentina, adding taxes and withholdings to the official exchange rate.
And the crypto dollar reflects the price at which stablecoins (dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies) like USDT or USDC are purchased.
The five relevant types of dollars in Argentina
Type of dollar | How it is obtained | Primary purpose |
|---|---|---|
Official | Formal foreign exchange market, through banks and exchange houses | Foreign trade and purchasing dollars for savings |
MEP | Buying and selling bonds in the Argentine stock market | Savings and dollar transactions within the country |
CCL (Contado con Liquidación) | Sale of bonds credited to an overseas account | Moving dollarized funds outside of Argentina |
Card | Spending in foreign currency with an Argentine card | Payments while traveling and international online shopping |
Crypto | Purchasing stablecoins like USDT or USDC | Getting paid from abroad and maintaining a digital dollarized balance |
The gap between dollar exchange rates varies significantly over time. In October 2026, it was small: the MEP was practically on par with the official rate and the CCL was about 5% higher, but at other times, the spread has been much wider.
Difference between the MEP dollar and the official dollar
Since April 2025, individuals have been able to purchase dollars in the official market without a nominal cap, although with one condition: the cross-restriction. Anyone who buys official dollars signs an affidavit and cannot trade MEP or CCL for 90 days. The difference between the MEP dollar and the official dollar lies in how each is acquired.
To access the MEP, you don't need to go to an exchange house. The transaction consists of buying a bond quoted in pesos (such as AL30) and selling its dollar-denominated version (AL30D) within the same stock market, with the dollars credited to your brokerage account, and then transferring them to a dollar bank account in your name.
With the official rate at $1,540 and the CCL at $1,620, every $1,000 you move via CCL costs $80,000 more than through the official rate.
That difference comes with a trade-off: the CCL allows the dollars to be credited to an overseas account, something neither the official nor the MEP rate can do. For those who need to move dollars out of the country, it is the primary route.
Which dollar is best depending on the scenario
The answer depends on your specific scenario.
When you pay abroad using an Argentine bank card, you enter the territory of the card dollar. The purchase is converted to pesos using the official exchange rate, plus applicable taxes and withholdings.
With the official rate at $1,540, the 30% advance tax surcharge for Income and Personal Assets taxes pushes the card dollar to around $2,000, and you won't know the exact amount you spent until your statement arrives.
An alternative that eliminates this uncertainty is using payment methods that display the exact amount before you confirm the transaction.
At belo, we designed a virtual Visa card called LUX, tailored specifically for paying in dollars without a credit card, international online purchases, and subscriptions, where the final amount is clearly shown in the app at the time of payment. International purchases with LUX carry a 1% fee.
For those who get paid from abroad, the crypto dollar has become an increasingly popular route.
Stablecoins like USDT and USDC aim to maintain a 1:1 peg with the US dollar and allow you to get paid in dollars almost instantaneously, without relying on bank transfers that can take days and rack up fees.
How to access the MEP and CCL dollar
Trading MEP dollars requires having a brokerage account with a broker authorized by the CNV (National Securities Commission).
The process involves transferring pesos from a bank account to the broker, buying a bond in its peso version with immediate settlement, and selling that same bond in its dollar version.
Since April 2025, the "parking" requirement (the minimum holding period between buying and selling) was eliminated for individuals, so both transactions can be completed on the same day. Transferring the dollars to your bank account may take longer, depending on the broker or bank.
The CCL follows a similar process, but the bond is sold in dollars in a market that allows the funds to be credited to an overseas account.
Key considerations before trading MEP or CCL
Broker commissions and market fees add to the cost, although they usually represent a small percentage of the total. It is best to compare brokers.
The cross-restriction requires an affidavit: if you buy official dollars, you cannot trade MEP or CCL for 90 days, and vice versa.
Each type of dollar carries a different effective cost depending on the timing, urgency, and destination of those funds. With the official and MEP rates trading nearly at par, the real difference comes down to restrictions, commissions, and logistics.
The card dollar is the most expensive due to taxes. Meanwhile, the crypto dollar, through stablecoins converted to pesos, combines speed and flexibility for those already operating within the digital ecosystem, free from banking hours.
Download the belo app and check out the current terms for your account.
Frequently asked questions about types of dollars in Argentina: official, MEP, card, and crypto explained
Is the MEP dollar legal in Argentina?
Yes, the MEP dollar is a completely legal transaction carried out through brokers authorized by the National Securities Commission. You can verify that your broker is licensed on the CNV website.
How long does it take for the MEP dollar to be credited to my account?
Buying and selling the bond can be done on the same day, but withdrawing the funds to your bank account depends on the broker or bank and may take longer. It's recommended to confirm the timeline with your broker before trading, especially if you need the funds by a specific date.
Is it better to pay abroad with an Argentine card or bring cash in dollars?
It depends on the exchange rate your bank applies and the current taxes. Bringing dollars purchased at the official or MEP rate is usually cheaper than the card dollar, although it requires advance planning.
Can I trade the MEP dollar and buy savings dollars in the same month?
Generally no, due to the cross-restriction: anyone who buys official dollars cannot trade MEP or CCL for 90 days, and vice versa. Since regulations frequently change, it is advisable to check the current rules with your broker or bank before trading.
