Argentina CNV License Inquiry Process | Comisión Nacional de Valores Compliance Guide

1. Introduction to CNV

1.1 Background

The Argentine National Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional de Valores, CNV ) was established in 1968 in accordance with the Capital Markets Law. It is the highest regulatory agency of the Argentine capital market and is affiliated to the Ministry of Economy (Ministerio de Economía) of Argentina .

📌Official website : https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnv

1.2 Functional Positioning

The main responsibilities of CNV include:

• Supervision of securities issuance and trading activities

• Authorize and supervise securities companies, fund companies, and investment consultants

• Managing the enforcement of capital market regulations

• Combating financial fraud, illegal fundraising, and insider trading

• Protecting small and medium-sized investors

II. Scope of Supervision and License Types

2.1 Securities and Brokerage Business

• Negociación Agentes (Securities Brokers)

• Agentes de Liquidación y Compensación (ALyC) → Clearing and Settlement Agents

👉Evidence : CNV Official Broker Directory
https://www.cnv.gov.ar/Agentes

2.2 Fund and Asset Management

• Sociedades Gerentes de Fondos Comunes de Inversión (Mutual Fund Management Companies)

• Administradores de Carteras de Inversión (Portfolio Managers)

2.3 Investment Advisors and Independent Agents

• Asesores de Inversión (Investment Advisors)

• Agentes Asesores Globales (Independent Financial Advisors)

2.4 Market Operation Organization

• BYMA (Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos SA) Buenos Aires Stock Exchange

• MAE (Mercado Abierto Electrónico) Electronic Bond Market

3. How to check CNV license plate

3.1 Official Portal

CNV provides a directory of licensed institutions:
👉 CNV Agentes Registrados

3.2 Query steps

Step 1: Enter the CNV directory

https://www.cnv.gov.ar/Agentes

Step 2: Select a category

• Agentes de Negociación

• ALyC

• Fondos Comunes

• Asesores

Step 3: Enter your company name

For example: Banco Galicia ALyC SA

Step 4: Verify the results

• Full name of the company

• License Type

• Status (Active / Revocado)

• Registration Number

Step 5: Cross-validation

• You can check whether you are a member on BYMA's official website 👉 https://www.byma.com.ar

4. Query Examples

Example 1: Legal Securities Broker

• Input: Banco Galicia ALyC SA

• Result: Appears in the CNV registered broker directory with status Active.

Example 2: Legal Fund Company

• Input: SBS Asset Management SA

• Result: Listed as a fund manager registered with CNV.

Example 3: Illegal Forex Platform

• Input: ABC Forex, an overseas foreign exchange company

• Result: No record in CNV system.

• May appear in CNV alert notices :
  👉 CNV Alerts

5. CNV Investor Protection and Penalty Mechanism

5.1 Investor Warning Announcement

CNV has an Alertas al Inversor column that specifically announces unregistered companies or illegal investment activities.
👉 Investor Alerts

5.2 Enforcement and Penalties

CNV has:

• Revocation of license

• Suspension of business

• fine

• Transfer to judicial authorities

📌Case Study :
In 2022, CNV issued an investment warning against an illegal foreign exchange company, reminding the public to avoid investing through unregistered platforms.

👉 Source: CNV Comunicados

VI. Advantages and Limitations of CNV

6.1 Advantages

• Wide coverage : covering securities, funds, investment advisors and exchanges.

• High transparency : Both company registration and penalty announcements are publicly available for inquiry.

• Investor protection : There is a special investor education and warning mechanism.

6.2 Limitations

• Retail Forex business is not regulated : Most retail Forex/CFD platforms are not within the CNV licensing system.

• Language barrier : Information is mainly in Spanish, which makes it difficult for international investors to access.

• Limited enforcement resources : Illegal platforms remain active.

VII. Investor Compliance Recommendations

1. First check the CNV official website directory : https://www.cnv.gov.ar/Agentes

2. Cross-validation BYMA/MAE information :

• BYMA: https://www.byma.com.ar

• MAE: https://www.mae.com.ar

3. View CNV Investor Alerts : CNV Alertas

4. Be wary of forged license documents : Black platforms often use the name of CNV.

5. Reject high-yield promises : CNV explicitly reminds investors that fixed high returns often involve fraud.

8. Conclusion

Argentina's CNV (Comisión Nacional de Valores) is the country's highest capital market regulator, responsible for the compliance management of securities companies, fund managers, investment advisors and exchanges.

Investors should:

1. Log in to the CNV official website directory to confirm the legitimacy;

2. Review investor alert announcements ;

3. Cross-verify information on exchanges such as BYMA/MAE ;

4. Be wary of false "foreign exchange license" propaganda.

📌Official portal summary :

• CNV official website: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnv

• List of registered companies: https://www.cnv.gov.ar/Agentes

• Investor Alert Notice: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/cnv/alertas

• BYMA official website: https://www.byma.com.ar

• MAE official website: https://www.mae.com.ar