Argentina Cards and Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2029

GlobalData’s ‘Argentina Cards and Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2029' report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Argentine cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cash, card, credit transfer, direct debits, and cheques during the review-period (2021–25e).

The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2025e–29f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including market shares of issuers and schemes.

The report brings together GlobalData’s research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers detailed regulatory policies and recent changes in regulatory structure.

GlobalData’s ‘Argentina Cards and Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2029' report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Argentine cards and payments industry, including –
• Current and forecast values for each market in the Argentine cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge cards.
• Detailed insights into payment instruments including credit transfer, cash, card, direct debits and cheques. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.
• Ecommerce market analysis.
• Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Argentine cards and payments industry.
• Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards.
• Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards.
• The competitive landscape of the Argentine cards and payments industry.

Scope

Card market size in terms of number of cards, value and volume of transactions in Argentine along with detailed card segmentation of debit, credit and charge cards available in the country.

Market sizing and analysis of major payment instruments including credit transfer, cash, card, direct debits and cheques.

Payment market trends and growth for both historical and forecast period

Competitor analysis with detailed insights into leading card issuers and schemes.

Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards.

A detailed snapshot of country's key alternative payment brands.

Key Highlights

In a significant step towards increasing financial flexibility, the BCRA introduced Communication “A” 8180, in January 2025, which permits businesses to accept payments via US dollar debit cards. According to this new regulation, effective February 28, 2025, financial institutions, digital wallets, acquirers, aggregators, and acceptors, are required to facilitate US dollar debit card payments for merchants wishing to adopt this method. This will allow customers with linked US dollar savings accounts to choose US dollars as their payment currency at the point of transaction. These measures by the BCRA are intended to provide businesses with greater access to US dollars, and offer consumers an alternative payment choice amid economic volatility.

The high tax burden on small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) has posed a significant obstacle to digital payment adoption. To address this issue, the government introduced Law 27,743, Palliative and Relevant Fiscal Measures, in July 2024. The key objective of this new legislation is to reduce tax withholdings on electronic collections from small taxpayers. According to the revised regulation, businesses and individuals with monthly electronic collections of up to ARS10.5 million ($11,468.18) are no longer eligible for automatic tax deductions on transactions conducted through debit cards, credit cards, and other digital payment methods. The bill aims to expedite the use of credit cards, and the digitalization of payments among smaller enterprises, by alleviating the tax burden.

The increasing use of contactless technology is driving card adoption. In January 2025, the Buenos Aires subway system implemented contactless payment technology. This allows users to conveniently purchase tickets at turnstiles using contactless debit, credit, and prepaid cards, as well as digital wallets that support NFC. Similarly, in November 2024, the city of Mendoza's light rail system, Metrotranvía, also introduced contactless payment options. This feature allows passengers to use payment cards or NFC-enabled smart devices, such as watches and phones, in addition to SUBE cards, to purchase tickets while onboard. These developments reflect a broader trend, indicating that contactless payments will soon become a common and essential aspect of daily life.

Reasons to Buy

Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Argentine cards and payments industry and each market within it.

Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Argentine cards and payments industry.

Assess the competitive dynamics in the Argentine cards and payments industry.

Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Argentina.

Gain insights into key regulations governing the Argentine cards and payments industry.