- The launch follows the Latin American nation’s dramatic drop in inflation, which fell from 292% in April 2024 to 31.8% under President Javier Milei.
- Ripio aims to offer peso-backed payment option that enables users to transact internationally without relying on the U.S. dollar.
Latin American crypto exchange Ripio has launched a new stablecoin pegged to the Argentine peso, in a move that expands its blockchain-based payment offerings. The token, named wARS, is part of the company’s wider effort to bring real-world assets such as currencies and bonds onto blockchain networks.
According to local media publication La Nación, the wARS token is now live on Ethereum, Coinbase’s Base network, and World Chain. Ripio said the stablecoin enables users to send and receive Argentine pesos worldwide at any time.
The token’s introduction comes as Argentina’s inflation, once at 292% in April 2024, has fallen to 31.8% under President Javier Milei’s government. By offering a peso-backed option, Ripio hopes to give users a stable and accessible way to transact across borders, avoiding the high costs and restrictions tied to dollar-based transfers.
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Expanding Blockchain Use Beyond Dollars
Stablecoins have already gained popularity in Argentina and Brazil, where high inflation and currency controls push individuals and businesses to seek digital alternatives. While most regional transactions rely on dollar-pegged tokens such as USDT or USDC, Ripio’s wARS brings local currency directly onto blockchain rails.
The launch of wARS builds on Ripio’s earlier initiative — a tokenized version of an Argentine sovereign bond — as part of its ongoing effort to bring real-world assets (RWAs) into the crypto ecosystem.
The exchange, which serves over 25 million users across Latin America, plans to extend this approach by developing similar stablecoins for other regional currencies. Such an expansion could open the door to cross-border payments directly in local money, a shift that might reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar for regional commerce.
As Ripio advances its blockchain strategy, the company is positioning itself at the heart of Latin America’s evolving digital finance landscape — one where stablecoins may soon reflect not just the dollar, but the diverse economies of the region.
