Argentine Lawmakers Push Blockchain Future With Minimal State Control

• Four Argentine lawmakers promoted blockchain and AI as solutions to national problems.
• Real-world government blockchain deployments remain limited. 
• Latin America processed more than $730 billion in crypto transactions in 2025.

Four Argentine lawmakers met in Buenos Aires on March 11 during the month‑long Aleph conference to promote blockchain and artificial intelligence as tools to fix major problems in the country.

The panel included national deputy Damián Arabia, Buenos Aires city congressman Juan Fernández, city legislator Darío Nieto, and national congressman Martín Yesí.

The policymakers discussed how new technology can improve democracy, public services, and economic systems. However, they concluded that the state should hold little power over it.

Arabia asked how much power the state should hold over people’s lives when new technology enters public systems during the panel.

Fernández took an even stronger position, adding that blockchain and AI can improve democracy and help political systems work better, with few remarks about consumer protection or strict rules.

Nieto also spoke about “smart regulation” but made clear he prefers deregulation. Yesí joked that all panel members share almost the same view. The tone across the discussion showed a strong libertarian view inside parts of Argentina’s political class.

President Javier Milei, who took office in late 2023, also supports a libertarian agenda and has promised to cut state agencies and social programs.

Related: Coinbase Pauses Peso Services in Argentina as Fiat Operations Are Reviewed

Big Promises Meet Limited Real‑World Proof

The lawmakers used the session to promote blockchain and AI solutions for health care, education, and government systems. Argentina has faced long periods of high inflation, corruption scandals, and weak trust in public institutions. Many citizens see technology as a possible escape from broken systems.

But real examples remain scarce. More than ten years of blockchain pilot programs in government have produced few large‑scale deployments. Estonia often appears as a success story, but many technologists argue the country relies on standard databases with cryptographic checks rather than a full blockchain system.

Dubai announced in 2016 that it would become the world’s first blockchain‑powered government by 2020. That deadline passed without the full transformation.

The city launched several pilots for land registry and visa systems, yet the wider system never arrived. The lawmakers ended the discussion with a more optimistic message. They argued that the crisis in Argentina creates opportunities for new systems built on blockchain and AI.

Crypto Use in Latin America Surges

While political debate continues, real crypto activity across Latin America shows strong growth. A report from Argentine crypto firm Lemon shows the region processed more than $730 billion in cryptocurrency transaction volume during 2025. 

In Argentina, even as inflation fell to about 32% during 2025, crypto adoption kept rising. Average monthly users reached four times the level seen during the 2021 bull market.

Meanwhile, Brazil leads the region by total transaction value. The country received about $318.8 billion in crypto transfers during 2025.

Related: Argentina May Reverse IMF-Linked Crypto Ban to Modernize Banking Sector