The Banco Central de la Rep\u00fablica Argentina (BCRA)<\/strong> is preparing a regulatory framework allowing commercial banks to offer cryptocurrency trading<\/strong> and custody services<\/strong>, ending the ban established in May 2022<\/strong>. This reform marks a historic turning point for Argentina’s financial sector, long kept at bay from digital assets. However, banks will need to create completely separate units from their traditional activities, with enhanced custody systems and advanced compliance protocols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The framework will be based on standards imposed on Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs)<\/strong>, including KYC\/AML<\/strong> rules and the travel rule<\/strong> for transaction traceability. The Comisi\u00f3n Nacional de Valores (CNV)<\/strong> has already set strict criteria regarding anti-money laundering, terrorism financing, and deposit security. Banks will likely need to go even further to guarantee liquidity and protect depositors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Initially, the banking offering should be limited to the most established assets such as Bitcoin<\/a><\/strong> and major stablecoins<\/strong>. Exposure to volatile altcoins will most likely remain excluded<\/strong> to limit risks. This cautious approach aims to regulate adoption without causing systemic imbalances in a country already weakened on the monetary front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n