---
title: "Peter Thiel Makes $76 Million Bet On Argentina's Top Shale Exporter Amid Milei Reforms"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/296158228.md"
description: "Peter Thiel's hedge fund disclosed a $76 million stake in Vista Energy, Argentina's top shale exporter, marking its second-largest holding. This investment coincides with President Javier Milei's free-market reforms, which have removed oil price controls and boosted production in the Vaca Muerta formation. Vista's ADRs surged 139% since Milei took office, reflecting optimism that these policies will attract foreign capital to Argentina's natural resources sector."
datetime: "2026-08-18T00:31:43.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/296158228.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296158228.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/296158228.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# Peter Thiel Makes $76 Million Bet On Argentina's Top Shale Exporter Amid Milei Reforms

Vista Energy SAB's American depositary receipts are up 5% Monday on news that Peter Thiel's hedge fund disclosed a $76 million stake in Argentina's largest oil exporter.

Thiel Macro LLC reported owning almost 1.2 million shares of Vista at the end of the second quarter, valued at about $76 million. This was the fund's second-largest disclosed holding after Amazon.

Thiel, the co-founder of Palantir and PayPal, has deepened his ties to Argentina. He recently bought a home in Buenos Aires and met President Javier Milei in April, fueling speculation about increased investment in the country, which is undergoing a radical shift from failed socialism toward free-market capitalism.

Vista Energy is a Mexico-incorporated independent producer focused almost entirely on Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale formation. Latest data show that the formation's combined oil and natural gas output has surpassed 1 million barrels a day.

Bloomberg noted:

> *Under Milei, Argentina has removed controls on oil prices and exports, and regained access to global financial markets, jump-starting growth in its Vaca Muerta shale patch in Patagonia, where combined crude and natural gas production has already surpassed 1 million barrels a day.* ***The boom is starting to transform Argentina's economy.***

Since Milei was sworn in on December 10, 2023, taking the oath of office in Buenos Aires, Vista ADRs have risen 139%.

Bloomberg data show that Theil now ranks as the 15th-largest shareholder.

Milei's economic reforms are aimed at attracting foreign investment, particularly in the country's natural resources, including oil, rare-earth minerals, and lithium.

### Related Stocks

- [VIST.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/VIST.US.md)
- [AMZN.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AMZN.US.md)
- [PLTR.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PLTR.US.md)
- [PYPL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PYPL.US.md)

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---
> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**