Coinbase Pauses Fiat Operations in Argentina After Less Than a Year

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has initiated a "deliberate pause" on its local fiat operations in Argentina, less than a year after formally launching services there. This move, effective January 31, 2026, means users can no longer buy or sell USDC using Argentine pesos (ARS) or withdraw funds to local bank accounts, though they have a 30-day window to complete these transactions. Crypto-to-crypto trading remains fully operational, and Coinbase stated customer funds are unaffected, emphasizing this is not a permanent exit. Experts suggest such pauses often result from the structural challenges of integrating local financial systems in volatile markets, citing high compliance costs and unclear regulations. Despite halting fiat rails, Coinbase intends to maintain its presence in Argentina through its Ethereum layer-2 network, Base, continuing work with local partners like Ripio.

(Source：Cointelegraph)