Lemon Launches Bitcoin-Backed Visa Card in Argentina

Highlights:

• Lemon launches a Bitcoin-backed Visa card, which lets users spend pesos without selling BTC.
• Card requires 0.01 BTC collateral, offers $1,000,000 peso limit, and keeps Bitcoin intact. 
• Major banks could trade cryptocurrencies if the Central Bank rules pass by April 2026.

Lemon, Argentina’s second-largest crypto exchange, has introduced a Visa credit card that lets users spend pesos while keeping their Bitcoin untouched. This card requires a small Bitcoin deposit of 0.01 BTC, around $900, as collateral and offers a peso limit of $1,000,000. The product allows long-term Bitcoin savings to be used for everyday spending.

Marcelo Cavazzoli, Lemon’s founder and CEO, said the card lets Argentinians easily get credit in pesos using Bitcoin as collateral, even without a credit history. The card is made for people who want to use their crypto savings in daily life.

For the first three months, Rootstock does not charge maintenance fees. After that, fees rise to about $7,500 per month but stay free for users who buy at least $150 in crypto each month. Users can also add BTC from external wallets through Lightning Network, Rootstock, or BNB Chain (BEP-20), giving more flexibility.

La Nación reported that Lemon, Argentina’s second-largest crypto exchange, has launched the country’s first Visa credit card backed by Bitcoin collateral. The product allows users to access peso credit without a bank account or credit history and without selling BTC, aiming to…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 15, 2026

Card Features and Future Expansion

At first, the cards come with fixed limits to ensure security, but Lemon plans to add options for custom backup amounts and adjustable credit limits. They are also working on support for dollar-denominated purchases using stablecoins like USDC and USDT.

The card lets users buy over 30 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, without fees. It does not cover exchanges or sales. Users also get early access to app features, Telegram support, and portfolio summaries with profits and losses. Lemon said Bitcoin is the top asset held by its users in Argentina, more than the crypto dollar and the peso. The company added that the card is meant to turn those savings into something people can use every day.

Potential Impact on Argentina’s Crypto Scene

Argentina already had a strong crypto culture, with Bitcoin leading the assets held on Lemon. Experts said this card can help users turn their savings into practical spending power across the country. Meanwhile, reports say the Central Bank (BCRA) is considering rules that would permit regular banks to trade cryptocurrencies. If passed, millions of Argentinians could have easier access to digital assets by April.

Argentina’s central bank is considering lifting its ban on banks’ crypto activities, allowing trading and custody under a new regulatory framework. The move marks a shift from prohibition to oversight, aiming to bring BTC and stablecoin use into compliance and strengthen KYC/AML.…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) December 8, 2025

Last December, Bitcoin Argentina’s President Manuel Ferrari said Argentine banks have long had very strict rules in place. He added that the effect of any changes will depend on whether the opening is smart or repeats old limits. Meanwhile, political and regulatory uncertainty continues. President Javier Milei and his sister face new claims over the collapsed $LIBRA token. Investigators said there could be “political responsibility” for promoting a suspected crypto scam, which caused $100-$120 million in losses.

Still, interest in cryptocurrency remains strong in Argentina. Argentina’s economy often faces instability, and its inflation rate is high. People often save their money in foreign currencies. Cryptocurrency can help save money and bring Argentinians into the fold of global finance. In all, teaching people about how crypto works is needed for greater adoption.