21/07/2026 04:35 - Economia
The Argentine foreign exchange market showed mixed behavior during the session on Monday, July 20, 2026. While official banking rates remained stable with slight increases, the informal exchange rate reached a nine-month high, creating a climate of caution but also optimism driven by a historic trade surplus.
According to local media such as TN and Infobae, the blue dollar (the informal, parallel exchange rate widely used by locals and tourists due to historical restrictions) closed at $1,520 to buy and $1,540 to sell, registering a 0.7% increase. This level represents the highest price for the informal bill since October 22, 2025. In July, the parallel dollar accumulated an increase of 25 pesos.
At Banco Nacion (the state-owned bank), the official dollar closed stable at $1,450 to buy and $1,500 to sell. The retail average reported by the Central Bank (BCRA) was $1,502.04 for sale. Meanwhile, the wholesale dollar (used for foreign trade between banks and companies) recorded its fourth consecutive increase, closing at $1,481, leaving a gap with the blue dollar of around 4%.
It is important to note that since April 14, 2025, the date on which exchange controls (locally known as 'cepo') were lifted, individuals can buy dollars in banks without limits, provided they have accounts in pesos and dollars. They only need to notify the institution 48 hours in advance if the purchase exceeds US$100,000.
MEP Dollar: $1,512.17 (slight drop of 0.27%). This rate is obtained by buying and selling bonds in the local market, allowing investors to get dollars without moving them out of the country.
CCL Dollar: $1,576.31 (increase of 0.13%). Similar to MEP, but the funds are settled abroad.
Card Dollar: $1,950 (includes a 30% surcharge for foreign spending with credit/debit cards).
Crypto Dollar: $1,602.09 (purchased via stablecoins).
Bitcoin: $65,191.
The financial market is operating with a positive horizon. June inflation stood at 1.9%, and July is projected at 1.8%. The country risk is in the zone of 416 basis points, and analysts expect the agency Moody's to improve the rating of Argentine bonds from 'Caa1' to 'B3' in the coming days, which could drive a further drop in country risk.
Additionally, INDEC (National Institute of Statistics and Census) reported that Argentina had a trade surplus of USD 13.923 billion in the first half of 2026, with exports totaling USD 49.454 billion. This export boom, driven by the energy and agricultural sectors, reinforces the entry of foreign currency into the country and supports the stability of the foreign exchange market.
TN, Infobae, Ambito and El Litoral.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
