Blue Dollar and Official Dollar Quotes: What the Market Offers This Week

This weekend, with no movement in the financial markets, the prices of the blue dollar and official dollar remain based on the last trading session’s closing references. For those wondering how much the blue dollar is today, the answer depends on where the transaction takes place. The informal currency exchange market has its own dynamics that differentiate it from the official rates set by Banco Nación.

Blue dollar today: current prices in the parallel market

In the informal market, the blue dollar rate is determined by weekend supply and demand. In the last trading day, this currency was negotiated at $1405 for buying and $1425 for selling. The blue dollar remains the reference that many Argentinians consult, especially when they need to know the real price of the currency outside the official banking system.

Official dollar vs blue dollar: why do exchange rates differ?

The official dollar, according to Banco Nación boards, closed the last week at $1370 for buying and $1420 for selling. The gap between the two rates reflects the restrictions still present in the local exchange system. Although currency controls were eased to allow greater access to dollar purchases, the difference between the official price and the informal market remains significant. This gap encourages many operators to prefer the parallel market.

Financial dollars: MEP and CCL at week’s end

Beyond the official and blue dollar, there are other rates of interest to investors trading on the stock exchange. The financial dollars — which include the MEP dollar (Stock Market) and the CCL dollar (settlement with liquidation) — operate through stock market mechanisms. They are acquired through buying and selling securities and shares, offering a regulated alternative to access foreign currency.

At the close of the last stock market week, these rates reached:

• MEP dollar: $1438.69
• CCL dollar: $1472.84

The price progression among MEP, CCL, blue, and official rates highlights the complexity of the Argentine exchange market.

Buying dollars via online banking: practical steps

Since the easing of currency controls, banks allow this operation through digital platforms. Each bank sets specific hours, so it’s recommended to verify in advance. The basic steps are:

• Access the online banking platform and ensure sufficient funds are available.
• Navigate to the “Operations” section or similar, looking for Buy/Sell foreign currency.
• Enter the amount in pesos you wish to purchase, and the system will automatically indicate how many dollars you will receive based on the day’s rate.
• Verify the details, accept the conditions, and confirm the transaction.

BCRA restrictions: limits on financial dollar operations

The Central Bank established a relevant rule: individuals who access the official dollar cannot perform operations with financial dollars (MEP and CCL) for 90 consecutive days. The official statement says: “Not to carry out, directly or indirectly or on behalf of third parties, purchases of securities with settlement in foreign currency from the moment of access and for the following 90 days.” This restriction aims to prevent immediate arbitrage between markets.

January inflation: economic context for exchange rates

Price outlooks also impact currency exchange decisions. The CPI (Consumer Price Index) for January 2026 registered a variation of 2.9%, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (Indec). This monthly inflation influences the pressure to access dollars, prompting inquiries about the blue dollar rate and other safe-haven options to preserve purchasing power.