LATAM crypto news: El Salvador moves toward first Bitcoin banks as Bitso partners with BVNK

These are the most relevant LATAM crypto news: El Salvador could see its first bitcoin banks operating before the end of 2025 under the newly approved Investment Banking Law, while Bitso Business and BVNK announced a strategic partnership to enable faster, stablecoin-powered cross-border payments between Europe and Latin America.

El Salvador prepares for its first Bitcoin banks

El Salvador’s financial sector is about to undergo a dramatic upheaval with the passage of the Investment Banking Law, which will allow the country’s first bitcoin banks to be established by the end of 2025.

Stacy Herbert, director of the National Bitcoin Office (ONBTC), announced the inauguration of the Bitcoin Zone at the National Library, highlighting that this development solves long-standing concerns about the constraints of the existing financial system.

The new framework enables investment banks to function directly with bitcoin, focusing on “sophisticated investors” with at least USD 250,000 in liquid assets, like as cash, bitcoin, tokenised gold, or Treasury bonds.

These institutions will be able to open accounts, accept deposits, and issue financial instruments under the supervision of the Financial System Superintendency and the Central Reserve Bank.

The plan is designed to establish El Salvador as a new worldwide hub for bitcoin-based banking and financial markets.

Bitso business and BVNK partner to boost cross-border payments

Bitso Business, Bitso’s B2B branch, and global payments provider BVNK have established a strategic agreement to accelerate cross-border transactions between Europe and Latin America using stablecoins.

According to the joint release, the alliance will allow institutions to enter new markets by leveraging stablecoin infrastructure to facilitate faster, more efficient, and cost-effective international payments.

Through this agreement, BVNK will benefit from Bitso Business’s local payment network in Latin America, while Bitso clients will get access to BVNK’s infrastructure, which includes SEPA transfers in Europe, virtual accounts, and real-time fiat-to-stablecoin conversion.

This integration intends to streamline treasury processes, accelerate cash flow, and reduce the need for several banking counterparties, with a particular emphasis on fintechs, exporters, and platforms that use international payments.

ARBA implements a new tax collection regime on digital wallets

The Buenos Aires Revenue Agency (ARBA) has approved a new Gross Income Tax collection system that now includes digital wallets and payment accounts.

The measure, published on September 8, 2025, in the Official Gazette as Normative Resolution No. 25/2025, adheres to the SIRCUPA system established by the Multilateral Agreement Commission in 2022 and previously accepted by 17 provinces in Argentina.

The legislation intends to improve efficiency and tax equality by guaranteeing that cash deposited in payment accounts offered by Payment Service Providers (PSPs) is treated similarly to that kept in bank accounts.

Beginning October 1, 2025, the new system will apply to amounts in pesos and foreign currencies placed into PSP accounts on the official collection agents list, except US dollars.

Providers who have not yet been listed but match the requirements will be added beginning November 1, 2025.

The resolution also defines sector-specific withholding rates, including 0.10% for construction, 0.50% for passenger and cargo transportation, 0.01% for auctioneers and commission brokers, and 0.30% for primary and industrial output, while financial and insurance organisations are exempt.

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