Argentine President Milei Faces Fallout Over Cryptocurrency Scandal
Javier Milei's endorsement of the $LIBRA meme coin led to investor losses, legal scrutiny, and a political credibility crisis.
- President Javier Milei promoted the $LIBRA cryptocurrency, which briefly surged in value before collapsing, costing investors nearly $100 million.
- The incident, labeled 'cryptogate,' has sparked fraud investigations and calls for Milei's impeachment by opposition parties in Argentina.
- Hayden Davis, a U.S. crypto developer linked to $LIBRA's launch, admitted meme coins often benefit insiders at the expense of retail investors but denied wrongdoing in this case.
- Critics argue the scandal undermines Milei's economic credibility, potentially jeopardizing Argentina's negotiations with the IMF and foreign investors.
- Public protests and harsh media criticism have emerged, though some analysts believe the long-term economic impact may be limited if reforms succeed.