Why Argentines Are Betting on Bitcoin Over Pesos—The Surprising Currency Revolution Unveiled
Ever wonder what happens when a nation collectively decides to stash its money not under mattresses, but in digital treasure chests? In Argentina, Lemon app users are flipping the traditional script — Bitcoin now leads their portfolio at a whopping 34.54%, outstripping stablecoins and even the local peso. It’s more than a fad; it’s a behavioral pivot in Argentina’s digital economy where cryptocurrency purchases soared by 126% in 2024, dwarfing the modest 44.4% growth of stablecoins. Imagine over 800,000 users incrementally building their Bitcoin stash through everyday spending, thanks to crypto cashback rewards—turning mundane transactions into a savvy investment game. This fresh wave of digital money management signals a fascinating shift toward long-term value storage, bringing a whole new meaning to ‘saving for a rainy day.’ Curious how this crypto revolution reshapes financial habits in South America’s vibrant markets? LEARN MORE.
Key Notes
- Bitcoin leads portfolio allocation at 34.54% on Lemon, surpassing stablecoins and Argentine pesos as users prioritize long-term value storage.
- Cryptocurrency purchases grew 126% in 2024 while stablecoin growth reached only 44.4%, marking a behavioral shift in Argentina’s digital economy.
- Over 800,000 Lemon users now hold Bitcoin fractions, accumulating assets through daily transactions that reward crypto cashback on routine purchases.
Bitcoin
BTC
$106 640
24h volatility:
3.1%
Market cap:
$2.13 T
Vol. 24h:
$70.84 B
is the favorite currency by portfolio allocation to Argentine users of the financial app and crypto wallet Lemon, among 5 million registered accounts in Argentina and Peru. Data is from a private document shared by the Lemon team with Coinspeaker on November 3, 2025.
According to the up-to-date document, 34.54% of all reserves held by Lemon users are of BTC. The leading cryptocurrency is followed by stablecoins (25.71%) and Argentina’s fiat currency, pesos (21.19%). Ethereum
ETH
$3 607
24h volatility:
6.4%
Market cap:
$435.33 B
Vol. 24h:
$44.30 B
, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, is Lemon’s fourth most-held asset, with 10.61%. Solana
SOL
$165.9
24h volatility:
9.7%
Market cap:
$91.69 B
Vol. 24h:
$9.05 B
and XRP
XRP
$2.32
24h volatility:
6.7%
Market cap:
$139.52 B
Vol. 24h:
$5.19 B
together only account for 3.35%, with 1.95% and 1.40% each, respectively. Other assets sum up to 4.59%.
Proof of reserves snapshot on November 3, 2025 | Source: Lemon
Ramiro Menne, Crypto Research and Growth Analyst at Lemon, explained that the data we see today comes as a behavior change in Argentina—leading to a higher accumulation of Bitcoin and altcoins instead of dollar-pegged tokens like USDC
USDC
$1.00
24h volatility:
0.0%
Market cap:
$75.63 B
Vol. 24h:
$21.04 B
and USDT
USDT
$1.00
24h volatility:
0.0%
Market cap:
$183.44 B
Vol. 24h:
$134.96 B
, which had seen a significant appeal in the past as “the most practical and liquid way to access the US dollar,” according to Menne.
“The perception of risk changed, and the US dollar lost much of its appeal as a store of value. Many users began to see Bitcoin not as a speculative bet but as a long-term investment,” Menne stated.
In 2024, stablecoin purchases grew by 44.4%, while Bitcoin and altcoin purchases increased by 126% and 158.5%, respectively. Today, over 800,000 Lemon users hold at least a fraction of Bitcoin in their wallets, per the document. This accounts for nearly 23% of the reported 3.4 million Argentines using the product, according to a post by Ramiro Menne from October 26 on X.
Siguiendo los movimientos en @lemonapp_ar de +3.4M de Argentinos desde un café en San Martín, donde todo empezó 🍋 pic.twitter.com/6tenQLh2mD
— ramenbtc – Edge City 🇦🇷 (@RamiroMenne) October 26, 2025
Pay Via Lemon, Earn Bitcoin
When it comes to in-app transactions overall, pesos and stablecoins remain the most frequently used assets within Lemon, said Ramiro, “balancing convenience for daily spending with the stability and liquidity of digital dollars.” For everyday payments made with Lemon’s QR system or VISA card, users primarily spend pesos.
“Most people deposit pesos into Lemon and use them for daily purchases, earning Bitcoin cashback in return. It’s a simple and accessible way to gradually accumulate Bitcoin through small, routine payments,” Menne noted.
Since 2021, the cashback model has already distributed the equivalent of over $29 million in Bitcoin to its users, which could also explain the growing portfolio allocation on the platform that leads crypto adoption in Argentina and Peru with 1.2 million monthly active users.
While the signal is mostly favorable to cryptocurrencies in LATAM countries like Argentina that went through serious economic challenges, Bitcoin “OG” whales appear to be derisking from the asset, as reported by Coinspeaker earlier today. Nevertheless, high-conviction institutions like Michael Saylor’s Strategy continue to accumulate, buying $45.6 million worth of 397 BTC, disclosed this Monday.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
Vini Barbosa has covered the crypto industry professionally since 2020, summing up to over 10,000 hours of research, writing, and editing related content for media outlets and key industry players. Vini is an active commentator and a heavy user of the technology, truly believing in its revolutionary potential. Topics of interest include blockchain, open-source software, decentralized finance, and real-world utility.
