<div id="readability-page-1"><div>Coinbase informed Argentine users on January 3, 2026, that it will discontinue peso-to-USDC trading on its platform effective January 31, marking a strategic retreat from local currency operations barely a year after launching with regulatory approval.The exchange emphasized that crypto-to-crypto trading remains fully operational while giving customers a 30-day window to convert and withdraw their pesos.“At Coinbase we are continuously reevaluating the products we offer to ensure the most efficient experience possible for our community,” the company stated in an email to users. The announcement stated that after January 31, purchasing or selling USDC with Argentine pesos will no longer be possible. However, the ability to buy, sell, send, and receive cryptocurrencies across different digital assets will remain uninterrupted.🚨 anunció que a partir de enero de 2026 dejará de ofrecer el on/off ramp ARS ↔ USDC en Argentina 🇦🇷 El email enviado a usuarios no detalla los motivos y no implica cierre de operaciones cripto ni afecta la custodia de fondos.Este tipo de decisiones suele aparecer… — Criptolawyer (@criptolawyer) Rapid Expansion Followed by Swift ContractionCoinbase launched operations in Argentina on January 28, 2025, after receiving approval from the National Securities Commission (CNV) to operate as a Virtual Asset Service Provider.The exchange appointed Matías Alberti, an experienced fintech professional from companies such as Buenbit and Clara, to lead regional operations, with regulatory compliance and security as core priorities.Argentina was seen as a compelling market opportunity at the time, with economic challenges such as high inflation and currency volatility driving widespread crypto adoption.A particularly revealed that 87% of Argentinians viewed cryptocurrency as a path to financial independence, while 79% expressed openness to receiving salaries in digital assets.This, the study shows, makes the country six times more likely to use crypto daily than the average Latin American nation.The exchange’s optimistic market entry coincided with Argentina expanding crypto investment opportunities through CNV approval of U.S. exchange-traded funds, including Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs under the CEDEAR program, ending a six-year prohibition under Law No. 27440.Political Scandal Reshapes Argentina’s Crypto LandscapeCoinbase’s withdrawal follows devastating political fallout from the Libra meme coin scandal that erupted in February 2025 when President Javier Milei endorsed the Solana-based token on social media.The coin surged from fractions of a cent to over $4.50 within hours before collapsing by more than 96%, with losses estimated at between $100 million and $251 million, after what investigators described as a classic pump-and-dump scheme.Argentina’s federal court froze over $507,000 in assets belonging to U.S. businessman Hayden Davis and two crypto operators as part of an expanding fraud investigation that drew links to Milei’s inner circle.🚨 Argentina freezes $507K in Meme Coin case connected to President , suspecting indirect payments to officials. .— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) Prosecutors traced transactions and alleged that intermediaries converted crypto into fiat for Davis and Argentine lobbyists Mauricio Novelli and Manuel Terrones Godoy, with one key transfer of $507,500 occurring just 42 minutes after Milei posted a selfie with Davis.Argentina’s lower house voted 128-93 in April 2025 to launch a congressional investigation summoning Economy Minister Luis Caputo, Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona, and National Securities Commission head Roberto Silva to examine potential misconduct surrounding the token’s promotion and collapse.Despite political turbulence that dropped Milei’s approval rating from 47.3% to 41.6%, his pro-crypto party, La Libertad Avanza, scored a surprise victory in Argentina’s midterm elections, winning 40.68% of the national vote.Broader Strategic Shift Amid Regulatory UncertaintyThe discontinuation of peso trading comes as Argentina’s central bank reportedly weighs regulations that would allow traditional banks to offer crypto trading and custody services, potentially approved around April 2026, according to local exchanges.While Coinbase is drawing back from the country, it is growing in other countries and verticals. Earlier this month, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced an “everything exchange” strategy for 2026, combining crypto, equities, prediction markets, and commodities globally while partnering with federally regulated platform Kalshi for event-based markets.Coinbase’s decision to maintain crypto trading while exiting peso operations suggests the exchange might be repositioning for regulatory changes rather than abandoning the Argentine market entirely.However, some users and the community have criticized the action, with the lead DevRel at Talent Protocol calling the move “wild.”Coinbase removing the option to buy USDC for Argentinians is wild.One of the highest crypto adoption countries is now blocked from accessing the onchain global economy.Makes zero sense — Juampi.eth (@HooCrypto) “One of the highest crypto adoption countries is now blocked from accessing the onchain global economy. Makes zero sense,” he said.</div></div>

COIN

Coinbase will cease peso-to-USDC trading in Argentina effective January 31, 2026, just a year after launching operations. While crypto-to-crypto trading will continue, users have a 30-day window to convert and withdraw pesos. This decision follows political turmoil linked to a meme coin scandal and comes amid potential regulatory changes in Argentina's crypto landscape. Despite the withdrawal, Coinbase is expanding in other markets and maintaining its crypto trading services, indicating a strategic shift rather than a complete exit from Argentina.

- Coinbase announced the discontinuation of peso-to-USDC trading for Argentine users effective January 31, 2026, while allowing crypto-to-crypto trading to continue.  
- The decision follows political turmoil and regulatory uncertainty in Argentina, with significant cryptocurrency adoption in the country previously noted.  
- Coinbase aims to adapt to changing regulations, maintaining its global expansion strategy despite this withdrawal from peso operations.

Coinbase Exits Argentina: Peso-to-USDC Trading Ends January 2026