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Argentina’s Central Bank Overhauls Reference Exchange Rate, Effective Jan. 1, 2026

The change replaces survey quotes with a volume-weighted average of A3 Mercados trades of at least US$500,000.

Overview

  • The BCRA board approved the new methodology through Communication “A” 8359, updating the framework governed by Communication A 3500.
  • The TCR will be calculated from on-screen transactions in A3 Mercados using a volume-weighted average, counting only trades of US$500,000 or more and excluding RFQ and broker-channeled deals.
  • The rule replaces the prior system that relied on banks’ quoted prices gathered at three points during each trading day.
  • The A 3500 reference rate is published at the daily close and serves as a key benchmark for bank accounting, futures contracts, and dollar-linked instruments.
  • Local reports noted that the official dollar fell for a third straight session and the blue rate closed below the official for a tenth consecutive day.