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 ex-president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, branded Milei a "crypto scammer" on social media and accused him of turning “Argentina into a casino.”