For decades, the nation has been roiled by hyperinflation, sky-high interest rates, a growing mountain of debt, a string of sovereign defaults, and a cratering exchange rate. Rampant inflation has ravaged Argentina's currency over the years, wiping out much of its value against the dollar and ruining its appeal to consumers. The coveted bucks from the back alleys of Buenos Aires have their own price, even their own name: dólar blue, or the "blue dollar." AdvertisementAdvertisementUp 60,000% and going strongThe dollar's unofficial exchange rate smashed above 1,000 pesos for the first time last week, to hit levels almost three times as high as the official rate. That would almost certainly mean the blue dollar surging to new highs.

---

Persons: —, It's, Javier Milei, Manuel Cortina Organizations: Service, Spain's Santander Group, Cato Institute, Local, Argentine, Monetary Fund, BBVA Locations: Argentina, Buenos Aires, bluedollar.net, American, Brazil, Argentine, Spanish