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Argentina: fintech & payments regulation

Regulated

Argentina fintech: BCRA regulates PSPs under SINAP; dual oversight with CNV for crypto

Lead regulator:
Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA)
Key law:
National Payments System (SINAP) Regulations
Last updated:
2026-07-12

The Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) is the primary regulator for fintech and payment services, operating under the National Payments System (SINAP) framework. Payment Service Providers (PSPs) must register with the BCRA and comply with strict reporting, capital, and operational standards. The regime covers electronic transfers, card acquiring, and payment accounts, with recent updates focusing on fraud mitigation and data transparency. Cryptocurrency activities remain largely unregulated by specific fintech laws but are subject to general financial and tax oversight.

Who regulates

  • Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA)

    Primary supervisor of the National Payments System (SINAP), licensing and oversight of Payment Service Providers (PSPs), and enforcement of payment instrument rules.

    [1][2][3]

  • Comisión Nacional de Valores (CNV)

    Supervises securities markets; provides guidance on crypto-assets as financial instruments, though no specific fintech licensing regime exists for crypto under the provided documents.

Core laws & rules

  • National Payments System (SINAP) Regulations (Ongoing (Consolidated Text))

    The core regulatory framework governing payment instruments, transfers, and PSPs, frequently updated via BCRA Communications (e.g., Communication A 8287, A 8303).

    [3][4]

  • Law 21.526 (Financial System Law) (1977)

    Establishes the legal basis for the BCRA's disciplinary regime and oversight of financial entities, as referenced in Circular RUNOR 1-1953.

    [5]

Licensing & registration

  • Payment Service Provider (PSP)

    Entities offering payment accounts or payment services must register with the BCRA and comply with information regimes (Circular RUNOR 1-1938, CONAU 1-1691). Timeline: Registration required; reporting obligations are monthly/quarterly.

    [3][6]

  • Card Payment Acquirer

    Acquirers must submit detailed monthly information on transaction volumes and terminal inventory (Circular CONAU 1-1692). Timeline: Monthly reporting.

    [7]

Restrictions & warnings

  • PSPs must implement enhanced fraud mitigation measures and risk assessment procedures for electronic funds transfers (Circular SINAP 1-234).

    [8]

  • Strict reporting requirements apply to all financial entities and PSPs, including intra-entity transfers, ATM networks, and public debt instruments.

    [9][10][11]

Direction of travel

  • The BCRA is actively updating the SINAP framework to enhance transparency, fraud prevention, and operational efficiency, with a focus on digital payment instruments and PSP oversight.

    [1][8]

Sources

  1. Circular SINAP 1-248 National Payments System - Checks and Other Compensable Instruments. Update. · 2026-05-15
  2. Circular SINAP 1-247 National Payments System – Transfers – Supplementary Rules. Update. · 2026-05-14
  3. BCRA Circular SINAP 1-232: Payment Service Providers Update · 2025-07-25
  4. Circular SINAP 1-235 National Payments System – Payment Services Update · 2025-08-19
  5. Circular RUNOR 1-1953 Disciplinary Regime of the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (Laws 21.526 and 25.065) and Processing of Foreign Exchange Proceedings (Law 19.359). Update. · 2026-03-27
  6. Circular RUNOR 1-1938 Information Regime for Payment Service Providers Offering Payment Accounts (R.I. - P.S.P). Adjustments · 2025-12-23
  7. Circular CONAU 1-1692 R.I. Card Payment Acquirers · 2025-08-28
  8. Circular SINAP 1-234 Retail Payment Systems - Fraud Mitigation Measures · 2025-08-07
  9. Circular RUNOR 1-1960 R.I. Intra-entity Instant Transfers (R.I. -T.I.I.) · 2026-05-08
  10. Circular RUNOR 1-1950 R.I. ATM Networks · 2026-03-16
  11. Circular CONAU 1-1710 R.I. Automated Teller Machine Networks · 2025-12-18

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This guide is compiled automatically from 11 primary-source documents published by Argentina's regulators, reviewed by RegAlert, and refreshed monthly (last updated 2026-07-12). It is not legal advice — always confirm requirements with the regulator or local counsel before acting.