Crypto dollar vs MEP dollar: the differences

The MEP dollar and the crypto dollar are two ways to get dollars with pesos outside the bank counter. They are alike in the outcome, but the route is different. In this guide we compare them simply so you understand what each one quotes.

What the MEP dollar is

The MEP dollar is obtained in the capital market: you buy a bond with pesos and sell it for dollars. The dollars arrive in an account in the country. For the step-by-step, see the guide how to buy MEP dollars.

What the crypto dollar is

The crypto dollar is the price of a digital currency pegged to the dollar, such as USDT, measured in pesos. It is bought and sold on exchanges and platforms that allow trading with pesos. What it quotes is the "digital dollar", not banknotes or a dollar bank account.

How they are alike

Both are free-market quotes that move during the day with supply and demand. Both tend to sit above the official dollar and close to each other. And for both, the price you see on a screen does not necessarily include all the costs of trading.

How they differ

1. Where you trade. MEP, at brokers or banks; crypto, on exchanges and digital wallets.

2. What you receive. With MEP, dollars in an account; with crypto, a digital currency that you then have to move or convert.

3. Hours. The bond market runs in limited hours; crypto exchanges usually operate all day, every day.

4. Timing. MEP may have a minimum period between purchase and sale; in crypto many operations are almost immediate.

5. Risks. Crypto brings its own risks: choosing a reliable platform, sending to the right address and protecting your keys. With MEP, the risk lies more in the bond market and the rules in force.

6. Regulation and taxes. The rules for each route change and depend on your situation. Always verify with the official source which taxes or withholdings apply.

Why the prices are not the same

Each market has its own demand, costs and hours. That is why MEP and crypto are usually close, but rarely at the same value. That difference can be measured with the same logic as the gap: what the exchange rate gap is.

How to compare them today

Look at both quotes together on the blue dollar page and on the MEP and crypto pages. To compare USDT across exchanges, visit [Arbitralo](https://arbitralo.com.ar/en).

Frequently asked questions

Is the crypto dollar the same as USDT?

The crypto dollar is calculated with digital currencies pegged to the dollar, and USDT is the most used. They are not cash dollars.

Which one is better?

There is no single answer: it depends on costs, timing, convenience and what you want to do with the dollars. This guide does not recommend one or the other.

Can they be traded on weekends?

Crypto usually allows it on many platforms. MEP depends on the bond market schedule.

Do the prices Convertilo shows include fees?

They are reference values. Fees and costs are set by each broker, bank or platform: ask before trading.

This guide is for information only and is not investment advice. Quotes and rules change: verify the information with the official source.