Argentina’s leading crypto firm Ripio has officially launched wARS, a stablecoin backed by the Argentine peso (ARS), designed to accelerate the country’s adoption of real-world assets (RWAs) and stable-value digital payments. The launch marks a major milestone for both Latin America’s blockchain sector and Argentina’s evolving monetary landscape, as the nation seeks alternatives amid persistent inflation and currency instability.
Ripio’s wARS: A Bridge Between Traditional Finance and Blockchain
The new wARS stablecoin is fully backed 1:1 by Argentine pesos, held in secure, regulated accounts, offering users a trustworthy digital representation of the national currency. Unlike volatile crypto assets, wARS aims to provide price stability, enabling daily transactions, on-chain settlements, and tokenized asset integrations with DeFi protocols.
Ripio confirmed that wARS will be available on multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Polygon, and BNB Chain, allowing instant transfers, low-cost remittances, and interoperability with other stablecoin ecosystems.
“The launch of wARS is a step toward democratizing access to blockchain-based finance for millions of Argentines,” said Sebastián Serrano, CEO of Ripio. “By merging real-world assets with crypto rails, we’re giving users stability, transparency, and freedom in how they use money.”
Argentina’s Inflation Drives Stablecoin Adoption
Argentina continues to face one of the highest inflation rates in Latin America, exceeding 120% year-over-year, pushing both individuals and businesses to seek refuge in U.S. dollar stablecoins such as USDT and USDC. However, with the launch of wARS, Ripio aims to localize stablecoin use, offering a digital peso that retains familiarity for Argentines while integrating into the broader Web3 economy.
Economic analysts view this as a strategic pivot that could enable state-compatible innovation, encouraging regulated adoption of blockchain solutions in financial institutions, fintech platforms, and even public services.
Real-World Asset (RWA) Integration and Utility
A defining feature of wARS is its integration into tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). Ripio plans to connect wARS to platforms offering on-chain representations of commodities, bonds, and real estate, allowing investors to transact and settle in a stable, local digital currency.
The firm also revealed that wARS will be integrated into Ripio Wallet, its multi-asset app with over 10 million users across Latin America, providing immediate accessibility for payments, savings, and decentralized trading.
“Stablecoins like wARS are the foundation of digital economies,” added Serrano. “They allow emerging markets to innovate locally while connecting to the global blockchain ecosystem.”
Market Outlook: A Catalyst for Argentina’s Crypto Ecosystem
With Ripio’s leadership in Argentina’s blockchain scene — alongside its partnerships with Visa, Circle, and Polygon Labs, wARS could become a benchmark for regional stablecoins. Its peso peg, combined with DeFi integrations and RWA functionality, positions it as a key instrument for both institutional finance and grassroots digital adoption.
Analysts predict that stablecoins tied to local currencies will gain traction throughout Latin America in 2026, offering countries new tools for monetary resilience and financial innovation amid macroeconomic volatility.
FAQs
1. What is wARS?
wARS is a peso-backed stablecoin launched by Ripio, pegged 1:1 to the Argentine peso (ARS) and designed for everyday payments, DeFi, and RWA transactions.
2. How is wARS different from USDT or USDC?
While USDT and USDC are pegged to the U.S. dollar, wARS represents the Argentine peso, catering specifically to local users and businesses transacting in their national currency.
3. On which blockchains is wARS available?
wARS is currently available on Ethereum, Polygon, and BNB Chain, ensuring cross-chain compatibility and fast, low-cost transactions.
4. What are the use cases for wARS?
Users can utilize wARS for remittances, merchant payments, DeFi participation, and real-world asset (RWA) transactions within the Ripio ecosystem.
5. Is wARS regulated or audited?
Ripio stated that all reserves are held in regulated financial institutions and subject to independent third-party audits to ensure full transparency.
