Official Dollar Opens the Week Higher
The official dollar started the week with a AR$ 5 increase at Banco Nación's board, trading at AR$ 1,520 for sale and AR$ 1,470 for purchase. Meanwhile, the blue dollar (informal market) held steady at AR$ 1,550 for sale and AR$ 1,530 for purchase.
The wholesale dollar operated at AR$ 1,499, just below the AR$ 1,500 threshold that the government aims to defend. This level has become a key focus for investors, who closely monitor the Central Bank's interest rate decisions.
Financial Dollars: MEP and CCL
In the stock market segment, the MEP dollar closed the last trading day at AR$ 1,532.40, while the CCL dollar (Contado con Liquidación) stood at AR$ 1,592.56. These exchange rates are obtained through buying and selling bonds and stocks in the capital market.
Exchange Rate Summary – August 24, 2026
| Type | Purchase (AR$) | Sale (AR$) |
|---|---|---|
| Official (Banco Nación) | 1,470 | 1,520 |
| Blue (informal) | 1,530 | 1,550 |
| Wholesale | — | 1,499 |
| MEP | — | 1,532.40 |
| CCL | — | 1,592.56 |
| Crypto | — | 1,595.87 |
Economic Context and Inflation Outlook
The country risk stood at 506 basis points, while the S&P Merval index gained 1.3% on Friday, with most ADRs and Argentine stocks listed on Wall Street posting gains.
Regarding inflation, the government expects August to mark a turning point, with a possible slowdown driven by beef, gasoline, and the dollar itself. Private estimates project an IPC (Consumer Price Index) between 1.5% and 2% for August, with the official figure to be released on September 10. July's inflation was 2.1%, accumulating 19.3% for the year and 22.8% year-on-year.
The crypto dollar remained stable at AR$ 1,595.87, while Bitcoin climbed over 1% and surpassed US$ 78,000.
Government Measures and External Sector
To maintain exchange rate stability, the government allowed interest rate hikes, tightening monetary policy. The rate for corporate advances is the highest since March, while for individuals it remains at 65%. Since the end of the Lefi (Liquidity Fiscal Letters), the rate has become endogenous, meaning it is set by market mechanisms.
On the external front, Argentine exports are expected to exceed US$ 100 billion this year, marking a historic record, with a trade surplus of more than US$ 20 billion.
Sources: Original news from Imago and official market data.