The Central Bank recorded the slowest monthly devaluation pace, with the purchase of US$ 17 million and a significant increase in international reserves. At the beginning of the month, reserves increased by US$ 1.149 billion, offsetting the losses at the end of January. After a drop of US$ 1.121 billion last Friday, reserves closed at US$ 29.456 billion after recovering this Monday.
In the foreign exchange market, the official retail dollar was quoted at $1,027.06 for purchase and $1,080.65 for sale, while at Banco Nación it was quoted at $1,034.25 and $1,074.25, respectively. The blue dollar remained around $1,220, with a gap of 16% compared to the official rate. In the wholesale market, the dollar was offered at $1,054.25, marking an increase of 75 cents compared to Friday's close.
Futures dollar contracts increased despite the downward adjustment in the "crawling peg" and the BCRA's decision to lower rates. The MEP dollar was at $1,175.68, maintaining an 11.5% gap with the official rate, while the Liquidation Account was sold at $1,179.51, presenting an 11.9% spread. The card and savings dollar operated at $1,396.53, respectively, and the crypto dollar or Bitcoin was quoted at $1,192.22 according to Bitso, while Bitcoin traded at US$ 94,872.
