Argentina securities regulator approves Bitcoin futures index

The regulated Bitcoin futures index is reportedly a first in Latin America and is set to debut in May.

The securities regulator of Argentina has approved a Bitcoin-based futures index set to debut on the Matba Rofex exchange. The Bitcoin (BTC) futures contract will start trading in May, with the exchange claiming it would be the first regulated Bitcoin futures index in Latin America.

The National Commission of Value (CNV), the country’s securities regulator, approved the Bitcoin futures index as part of a strategic innovation agenda. The innovation agenda, which launched in the first quarter of 2022, is focused on creating a space for public-private collaboration to develop new and creative products in the capital market.

The Bitcoin futures contract will be based on the price of BTC provided by various entities in the nation offering BTC/ARS trading pairs. All trades will be settled in the national fiat currency, with traders required to deposit Argentine pesos through bank transfer.

For the provision and use of payment services in the nation, an exchange providing these contracts must ensure it has a valid contract with a payment services provider registered with the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic.

The regulated Bitcoin futures index would offer qualified investors a safe way to gain BTC exposure in a transparent and regulated environment. At the same time, the CNV has also asked the Matba Rofex exchange to incorporate alerts that warn investors of the risks associated with such financial instruments.

Related: Coinbase CEO urges Bitcoin legal tender for Brazil, Argentina — Reaction

Argentina is struggling with high inflation, and many citizens have turned to Bitcoin to mitigate the effects. The country’s peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading volume has also hit new highs amid soaring inflation.

A recent bill proposed by the Ministry of Economy encouraged citizens to declare their crypto holdings and incentivized them with tax benefits. Over the years, the South American nation has taken a pro-crypto stance, with crypto adoption nearly double its neighboring countries.

The launch of the Bitcoin futures contract also comes just a week after Binance announced its expansion to Argentina. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao shared the news of the latest approval.