Milei's Mixed Crypto Message: What's Next for Argentina?

Argentina's President Javier Milei and his party, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), secured a significant victory in the 2025 midterm elections. However, the crypto world isn't popping the champagne just yet. Milei has been a vocal supporter of crypto, calling central banks a "scam" and praising Bitcoin as a response to financial manipulation. He even promised free currency competition, including Bitcoin. But actions speak louder than words, and Milei's crypto-friendly talk hasn't translated into much policy action. Milei's journey from TV personality to president has been anything but ordinary. He's known for his bold, sometimes controversial, stances on economics. His pro-crypto comments initially excited the industry, but the reality has been less impressive. For instance, a provision in a major economic law that would have taxed crypto investments was scrapped, delaying Milei's pro-crypto agenda. Additionally, new regulations for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) have been introduced, which some see as a step back for crypto freedom.There's a sense that Milei and his team might not fully grasp the complexities of crypto. Carlos Maslatón, a Bitcoin expert, noted that Milei listened to his explanations but didn't seem to fully understand Bitcoin's essence. Ramiro Marra, a government official, echoed this sentiment, warning that regulating crypto without proper knowledge could be risky. Milei's crypto image took a hit with the Libra memecoin scandal. The token's price surged and then crashed after Milei mentioned it on social media. Investigations were launched, but Milei denied any wrongdoing, claiming he only "shared" the project. Meanwhile, Argentines have been protesting Milei's austerity measures, and human rights groups are concerned about increasing police repression. Despite these challenges, LLA's victory in the midterms was clear. Some voters might have hoped to avoid another economic crisis or ensure continued US economic support, which was tied to LLA's performance. With this victory, Milei has a stronger mandate to push his agenda. However, whether crypto will be a part of that remains uncertain. For now, the crypto community in Argentina is left waiting and watching.