Argentina: Cash usage hits historic lows as QR payments surge

According to the latest Financial Inclusion Report from the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA), cash withdrawals in Argentina have reached historic lows. During the first half of 2026, monthly cash withdrawals per adult fell by 33.4% year-on-year, averaging just 1.3 operations per person. The real value of the amount withdrawn also decreased by 14.1%.

In contrast, digital payments are seeing significant growth. The average number of electronic payments per adult rose to 32.8 monthly, a 14.7% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This shift is driven largely by instant transfers and QR code payments. QR code transactions specifically grew by 57.2% in volume and 58.3% in real transaction amounts year-on-year.

While digital methods expand, traditional credit and debit card usage has seen a decline. Credit card operations decreased by 3.5% in quantity and 12.1% in real terms. The data indicates that approximately 30.5 million Argentines utilized electronic payment methods during the second quarter of 2026, representing an influx of over 2 million new users compared to the previous year.