Rankings & Comparative Guides
Understanding Argentine financial concepts is easier when you can see them side by side. These comparison tables are educational — they describe how things work, not what you should choose.
Side-by-side explanations
These tables help clarify the differences between related financial concepts. They describe characteristics — not rankings of quality or suitability.
Dollar Types in Argentina
Comparing the main exchange rate categories
| Type | Legal | Who can access | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official | Yes | Regulated access | BCRA-set rate |
| MEP | Yes | Anyone via broker | Bond arbitrage |
| CCL | Yes | Anyone via broker | Cross-border bond |
| Blue | No | Informal market | Parallel market |
Savings Instruments
Key characteristics of common options
| Instrument | Indexed | Term | Liquidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savings account | No | None | Immediate |
| Plazo fijo | No | 30–365 days | At maturity |
| UVA plazo fijo | CPI | 90+ days | At maturity |
| FCI money market | Partial | Daily | T+0 or T+1 |
Credit Card Charges
What the different cost items mean
| Concept | Mandatory | Variable | Regulated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Varies | No | Partial |
| Financing interest | If paid | Yes | BCRA cap |
| CFT | Disclosed | Yes | Yes |
| Late payment fee | If late | Fixed | Yes |
Inflation Measures
Different ways inflation is tracked in Argentina
| Measure | Published by | Coverage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPI (IPC) | INDEC | National | Monthly |
| Buenos Aires CPI | GCBA | City only | Monthly |
| Wholesale (IPIM) | INDEC | Wholesale | Monthly |
| UVA index | BCRA | CPI-linked | Daily |
How to use these tables
The comparison tables on this page are designed to help you understand the structural differences between related financial concepts. They are educational in nature.
They do not rank options from best to worst, and they do not constitute a recommendation to use any particular financial product or instrument. The characteristics shown reflect how these concepts work, not how they should be evaluated for any individual situation.
For a fuller explanation of any concept in these tables, subscribe to the Wolvantez newsletter — where each topic gets a dedicated issue with full context and plain-language explanation.
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