The Argentine blue dollar, a widely watched informal exchange rate, closed lower on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 1,390 pesos for purchase and 1,415 pesos for sale, according to operators in Buenos Aires, as reported by Ámbito Financiero.
This marks the second decrease in three days for the blue dollar, a rate often used by Argentinians to circumvent official currency controls. Simultaneously, the official wholesale dollar rate stood at 1,400 pesos for sale on Friday, according to the same source.
Several other dollar rates are also being closely monitored. The dollar CCL (Cash with Liquidation) traded at 1,465.74 pesos, creating a gap of 4.7% with the official rate. The dollar MEP (Mercado de Permutas) was at 1,420.50 pesos, with a 1.5% difference from the official rate. The “dollar tarjeta” or tourist dollar, which includes a 30% surcharge, reached 1,846 pesos. The crypto dollar, or dollar Bitcoin, was trading at 1,459.02 pesos, as per Bitso, while Bitcoin itself was valued at approximately $71,296 according to Binance.
Broader market trends indicate a complex economic landscape. The official wholesale dollar rate experienced a weekly decline, diverging from the global trend of strengthening currencies. Argentina’s risk country surpassed 580 basis points and ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) saw a significant drop on Wall Street, fueled by concerns surrounding the economic impact of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Inflation data released Thursday by the INDEC (National Institute of Statistics and Census) showed a 2.9% increase in the Consumer Price Index (IPC) for February, exceeding market expectations of 2.7%. March is anticipated to see continued inflationary pressure due to seasonal factors, ongoing price adjustments, and the global energy market’s volatility linked to the Middle East situation.
Industry capacity utilization also declined to 53.6% in January, the lowest level since 2002, with significant drops in the metalworking, automotive, and textile sectors.
