Argentine President Javier Milei faces a fraud investigation after promoting a cryptocurrency that collapsed within hours, vaporizing billions in value.

Argentine President Javier Milei is facing a corruption probe into his promotion of a meme coin, which is a highly speculative form of cryptocurrency that’s seen a recent surge in popularity after President Donald Trump and his wife launched tokens of their own.

The controversy has turned what was once a promising regulatory path into political quicksand, leaving Argentina’s crypto landscape in turmoil. The promise of crypto regulation in Argentina, once fueled by the rise of pro-crypto president Javier Milei in late 2023,

A judge in Argentina has been selected to investigate allegations of fraud against President Javier Milei for his brief promotion of a cryptocurrency that collapsed in value hours after it was launched last week.

Argentine President Javier Milei faces his first major political crisis as the so-called cryptogate scandal shakes his credibility. The failed cryptocurrency endorsement has sparked a legal and political backlash.

President Javier Milei posted on X recommending the little-known crypto coin $LIBRE, which soon after shot up to nearly $5 apiece. Hours later, it plummeted to under $1.

The budding scandal in Argentina has been dubbed locally as “cryptogate” and has links to a diverse cast of characters, including a high-profile U.S. influencer, a crypto developer who uses the pseudonym “Meow,” and a 28-year-old American entrepreneur who said he helped launch first lady Melania Trump’s meme coin last month.

Argentina's president faces his first major political crisis as the so-called "cryptogate" scandal shakes his credibility. The failed cryptocurrency endorsement sparks legal trouble, political fallout and media backlash.