Argentina Lets ‘Mattress Money’ Flow into Crypto, Aiming to Boost Investment
Argentina's Securities and Exchange Commission (CNV) has approved a measure that lets citizens channel previously undeclared cash — colloquially called 'mattress money' — into cryptocurrency exchanges and other brokerage firms. Economy Minister Luis Caputo framed the policy as a tool to mobilize idle domestic capital and strengthen investment, providing a formal on-ramp for funds that have traditionally remained outside the banking system.
The decision matters because it signals regulatory willingness to fold informal savings into regulated markets, potentially accelerating crypto adoption and expanding the tax base. Exchanges and brokerages will face stronger incentives to tighten KYC/AML procedures and reporting, and market participants should expect fresh demand alongside possible short-term volatility as funds migrate. Clear oversight will be crucial if the measure is to translate into sustained domestic investment gains.