How much does it cost to send money from the US to Argentina with Peanut?

$0 in fees. ACH deposits from your US bank account are free. Sending between Peanut accounts is free. Spending via Mercado Pago is free. Cash withdrawals at Red ATMs are free from Peanut (the ATM operator may charge a small network fee). You pay only the exchange rate — and that rate is 5-8% better than Western Union or PayPal.

How long does it take to send money from the US to Argentina?

Deposits from the US via ACH take 1-2 business days. Once in your Peanut account, sending to Argentina is instant — your recipient receives funds in milliseconds. They can spend via Mercado Pago immediately (instant) or withdraw cash at Red ATMs (instant once the QR is scanned). For faster deposits, send USDC, USDT, or DAI from a US exchange like Coinbase — digital dollar deposits arrive in minutes. Peanut-to-Peanut transfers are always instant.

How do I deposit from the United States?

The easiest option is ACH bank transfer — free and arrives in 1-2 business days. Open the Peanut app, tap "Deposit," select ACH, and transfer from your bank using the displayed routing and account numbers. You can also send USDC, USDT, or DAI on Arbitrum, Solana, Base, Polygon, or Tron from any exchange (Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini). Digital dollar deposits are free and arrive in minutes.

Does my recipient need a DNI or bank account in Argentina?

No. They verify with their passport in under 2 minutes and can spend directly via Mercado Pago QR at over 1,000,000 merchants across Argentina. No Argentine bank account, DNI, CBU, or CVU needed. They can also withdraw cash at Red ATMs using a QR code on their phone.

What exchange rate does Peanut use for US to Argentina transfers?

Peanut uses the cripto dólar rate — a direct digital dollar-to-peso market conversion that is 5-8% better than the MEP rate Western Union and PayPal use. Credit cards and traditional services convert through the regulated MEP rate. Peanut bypasses this by converting digital dollars to pesos directly at the real market rate. The rate locks at the moment of payment, so there is no slippage after you confirm.

Is Peanut cheaper than Western Union for sending money from the US to Argentina?

Yes. Western Union charges $5-15 per transfer plus a 5-10% exchange rate spread built into their rate. Peanut charges $0 in fees and uses the cripto dólar rate, which is 5-8% better than the MEP rate Western Union uses. On a $500 transfer, your recipient gets roughly 40,000-53,000 more pesos with Peanut. Western Union also requires physical pickup — Peanut delivers instantly to Mercado Pago.

How long does an ACH deposit take?

ACH deposits from US bank accounts take 1-2 business days to clear. Plan around weekends and holidays, as ACH does not process on non-business days. For faster funding, deposit USDC, USDT, or DAI from a US exchange via Arbitrum or Solana — those arrive in minutes.

Can I use Peanut to pay for my own expenses in Argentina?

Yes. Many users deposit via ACH from their US bank account, then spend via Mercado Pago QR when they arrive in Argentina. You do not need to send to someone else — Peanut works for your own spending. Tourists, digital nomads, and business travelers all use Peanut to pay like a local without needing a DNI.

Send Money from the United States to Argentina — Fastest & Cheapest Way

5-8% better rates than Western Union or PayPal. Recipient spends instantly via Mercado Pago. Free ACH deposits.

Get Early Access

Send money from the United States to Argentina in seconds — your recipient can spend immediately via Mercado Pago at over 1,000,000 merchants, withdraw cash from Red ATMs, or hold a dollar-denominated balance until they need it. You get the cripto dólar rate, which is 5-8% better than the MEP rate Western Union and PayPal use, and up to 25% better than credit card conversions. Deposit via ACH bank transfer from your US bank account for free, or send USDC, USDT, or DAI on any major network. Your recipient does not need a bank account or DNI.

Why Peanut Is the Best Way to Send from the US to Argentina

Better Exchange Rate

Peanut uses the cripto dólar rate — a direct digital dollar-to-peso market conversion that bypasses the regulated MEP rate used by Western Union and PayPal. The result: 5-8% more pesos per dollar compared to Western Union's MEP rate, and 7-25% better than credit card conversions. On a $500 transfer, your recipient gets roughly 50,000 more pesos than they would through Western Union. The rate locks at the moment of payment — no slippage, no surprises.

No Fees

Unlike Western Union ($5-15+ per transfer plus a 5-10% exchange rate markup) or PayPal (3-4% cross-border fees plus an unfavorable exchange rate markup), Peanut charges nothing. ACH deposits from your US bank account are free. Sending is free. Your recipient pays nothing to receive or spend via Mercado Pago. There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and no hidden charges.

Instant Spending

Send from the US — your recipient in Argentina can spend immediately via Mercado Pago QR at over 1,000,000 merchants, withdraw cash at any Red ATM, or hold their balance in digital dollars. No waiting 1-3 days for a bank transfer like Western Union or PayPal. Once funds land in a Peanut account, spending is instant.

No Local Account Needed

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Your recipient does not need a DNI or Argentine bank account. They verify with their passport in under 2 minutes and start spending like a local from day one. No CBU, no CVU, no local paperwork of any kind.

Best Way to Deposit from the United States

The easiest way to fund your Peanut account from the United States is via ACH bank transfer — it is free and arrives in 1-2 business days. Open the Peanut app, tap "Deposit," select ACH, and transfer from your bank using the displayed routing and account numbers. Include the reference number so your deposit is matched automatically.

You can also deposit via wire transfer (Peanut does not charge, but your bank may charge $25-45) or send USDC, USDT, or DAI on Polygon, Arbitrum, Solana, Tron, or Base. All deposit methods are free from Peanut's side. Digital dollar deposits arrive in minutes.

You will need to verify your account with your passport — it takes under 2 minutes for most users.

See the ACH deposit guide and network deposit guide for step-by-step instructions.

How It Works

1
Sign up and get verified
Create your Peanut account with email or phone number. Upload a photo of your passport or US driver's license and take a selfie — verification takes under 2 minutes for most users.
2
Deposit via ACH or digital dollars
ACH bank transfer from your US bank account is free and arrives in 1-2 business days. For faster funding, send USDC, USDT, or DAI on Arbitrum, Base, or Solana from exchanges like Coinbase or Kraken — deposits arrive in minutes and are free (Peanut covers gas fees).
3
Recipient gets money instantly
Send to your recipient by email or phone number. Funds arrive in their Peanut account in milliseconds. Peanut-to-Peanut transfers are always instant.
4
Recipient spends locally in Argentina
They scan any Mercado Pago QR code at 1,000,000+ merchants for instant peso payments, withdraw cash at Red ATMs using a QR code on their phone, or hold their balance in digital dollars. No DNI or local bank account required.

Where the Money Goes in Argentina

Mercado Pago — Pay at 1,000,000+ Merchants

Mercado Pago is the dominant QR payment system in Argentina, accepted at over 1,000,000 merchants — supermarkets (Carrefour, Dia, Coto, Jumbo), restaurants, cafes, street food, kiosks, clothing, electronics, and pharmacies. Your recipient scans the merchant's QR code with the Peanut app, reviews the amount in pesos, and confirms. The merchant receives pesos instantly and sees a normal Mercado Pago payment. Note: only Mercado Pago QR codes are supported (MODO and Cuenta DNI QR formats are not compatible).

See the Mercado Pago payment guide

Cash Withdrawal at Red ATMs

Red ATM connects ATMs across Argentina into a single cardless withdrawal network, available 24/7 in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, Rosario, Bariloche, Salta, and Ushuaia. Your recipient generates a QR code in the Peanut app, scans it at a Red ATM within 60 seconds, and collects pesos. Free from Peanut (ATM operator may charge a small network fee).

How Much Does It Cost?

Cost breakdown for sending from the US to Argentina:

ACH deposit: Free
Digital dollar deposit: Free (Peanut covers gas fees)
Exchange rate: Cripto dólar — the rate you see is the rate you get
Mercado Pago spending: Free
Cash ATM withdrawal: Free from Peanut (ATM operator may charge a small fee)
Total: $0 in fees

Sending $500 from the US to Argentina (as of February 2026)

Provider	Exchange Rate	Fees	Recipient Gets (ARS)	You Save with Peanut
Peanut	Cripto dólar (~1,050 ARS/USD)	$0	~525,000 ARS	—
Western Union	MEP + 5-10% spread (~945-997 ARS/USD)	$5-15	~472,000-485,000 ARS	~40,000-53,000 ARS
PayPal	MEP + 3-20% markup	3-4% ($15-20)	~450,000-480,000 ARS	~45,000-75,000 ARS
Wire transfer	MEP (~997 ARS/USD)	$25-45	~455,000-485,000 ARS	~40,000-70,000 ARS

The savings come from two sources: Peanut's zero fees and the cripto dólar exchange rate. Western Union and PayPal convert through the MEP rate, which is regulated and artificially lower. Peanut converts digital dollars directly to pesos at the real market rate — 5-8% better. See the full breakdown on the pricing page.

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Common Use Cases: United States to Argentina

Tourists and Travelers

Visiting Argentina from the US? Pay at any shop, restaurant, or cafe by scanning Mercado Pago QR codes — no DNI required. Your US credit card gives you the MEP rate plus foreign transaction fees, costing you 7-25% more on every purchase. Blue dollar street exchanges carry counterfeit and safety risks. Peanut lets you deposit via ACH before your trip and spend at the cripto dólar rate from day one. Verify with your US passport in under 2 minutes. On a $1,000 vacation budget, you save $70-250 compared to your credit card.

Digital Nomads

Living in Buenos Aires while working remotely for a US company? Every rent payment, dinner, and grocery run costs you 7-25% more than it should when you pay with a foreign card. Peanut lets you pay rent, utilities, and groceries at the cripto dólar rate — saving $170-500 per month on a $2,000 monthly budget. Deposit via ACH from your US bank account, split bills with local friends via Mercado Pago, and pay at coworking spaces without needing a DNI or local bank account.

Sending Money to Family

Send money from the US to family in Argentina instantly. Western Union charges $5-15 per transfer plus a 5-10% exchange rate spread, and requires physical pickup. PayPal charges 3-4% cross-border fees and requires the recipient to have a PayPal account. With Peanut, your family receives money in seconds, spends via Mercado Pago or withdraws cash at Red ATMs — all at the cripto dólar rate. No fees on either side. On a $500 monthly transfer, your family receives 40,000-75,000 more pesos compared to Western Union or PayPal.