Latin American Crypto Exchange Ripio Launches Argentine Peso Stablecoin 'wARS'

Core Insights - Ripio, a prominent Latin American crypto exchange with over 25 million users, has launched a new stablecoin called wARS, which is pegged to the Argentine peso [1] - The launch of wARS enables users to send and receive funds globally without relying on banks or converting to U.S. dollars, coinciding with a significant reduction in Argentina's inflation rate from 292% in April of the previous year to 31.8% currently [2] Company Developments - Ripio plans to introduce similar stablecoins for other Latin American currencies, potentially facilitating cross-border payments in local currencies, which currently often necessitate U.S. dollars or expensive intermediaries [3] - The introduction of wARS follows Ripio's earlier release of a tokenized version of a sovereign bond, contributing to the trend of integrating real-world assets like fiat currencies and securities into blockchain technology [4] Industry Trends - Stablecoins are gaining traction in Argentina and Brazil, driven by high inflation and stringent currency controls that compel individuals to seek more stable forms of value [3]