Argentina's Central Bank bought US$55 million on January 12, its sixth consecutive daily purchase since January 5 under the 2026 accumulation plan announced in December, bringing the total to US$273 million. Gross reserves climbed to a new Milei-era high of US$44.768 million amid stable exchange rates.
Building on the BCRA's December 2026 reserve accumulation strategy—which ties exchange bands to INDEC inflation data and targets up to US$17 billion in acquisitions—the Central Bank purchased US$55 million in the Mercado Libre de Cambios (MLC) on January 12. This marks the sixth straight day of buys since January 5 (US$21M on 5th, US$83M on 6th, US$9M on 7th, US$62M on 8th, US$43M on 9th), exceeding the 5% daily volume cap in recent sessions.
Gross reserves rose US$372 million to US$44.768 million, surpassing December peaks driven by gold revaluations and Treasury inflows. The retail dollar held steady at $1,490 in Banco Nación.
The BCRA also repaid a US$2.5 billion swap with the US Treasury, securing a new loan from an international organization. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted full reimbursement with gains for US taxpayers, praising President Javier Milei and Economy Minister Luis Caputo.
Official forecasts peg 2026 acquisitions at US$10-17 billion, contingent on remonetization. Opposition voices decry insufficient sustained accumulation.
