On August 19, 2025, the Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (hereinafter “CABA” or the “City”) presented the “BA Cripto” program, an initiative aimed at boosting technological and economic development by positioning the City as a regional hub for financial and technological innovation. The program includes fiscal measures designed to create a business-friendly regulatory framework for companies related to cryptocurrencies, with the goal of encouraging their establishment in the city.
Specifically, the following four measures were announced:
Update of the Economic Activity Classifier
The City proposes updating the economic activity classifier by creating specific categories for cryptocurrency mining, custody, and exchange. This measure aims to bring clarity and simplicity to the tax process, without increasing the fiscal burden, while facilitating information sharing between jurisdictions.
Exclusion of Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) from the Banking Withholding Regime for Gross Income Tax
The exclusion of VASPs from the Gross Income Tax withholding regime will reduce bureaucratic procedures for companies in the crypto sector. The new classifier will allow these providers to be identified, thereby avoiding withholdings that could affect their working capital, and will increase legal certainty for the industry.
Differential Tax Base
The tax calculation will be based on the difference in exchange value rather than the total amount of the transaction, providing treatment similar to that applied to other instruments used as means of payment or stores of value.
Payment of Taxes and Non-Tax Procedures with Cryptocurrencies
Through a QR code, taxpayers will be able to pay taxes such as property tax (ABL), vehicle tax, and gross income tax, as well as non-tax procedures like driver’s licenses and fines, using cryptocurrencies. The transactions will be processed through authorized providers that convert the crypto assets into pesos, ensuring secure and efficient operations. Additionally, the City announced that any wallet may be used for this purpose.
