Argentine households keep dollar bills tucked under mattresses, a habit that has spurred a local market for second‑hand currency. Alejandro Lamas, a used‑car dealer, claims he has become a sort of expert, spotting fake notes at first glance after years of dealing with stacks collected in homes.

The practice reflects deeper economic anxiety. With hyperinflation eroding savings, many Argentines view physical dollars as a safer store of value than bank accounts, especially as President Milei pushes for tighter banking controls and a shift toward digital finance.

For investors, the trend signals that traditional banking penetration remains low, and that informal currency markets could continue to thrive unless policy changes quickly alter public confidence in the banking system. The enduring reliance on cash under mattresses underscores the urgency for reforms that restore trust in formal financial institutions.