Bitsave vs Bitso vs DolarApp (ARQ): updated comparison 2026

Quick response

All three apps are legitimate, but they serve different purposes. If you want to save in digital dollars and Bitcoin with the simplest experience possible, Bitsave is your option. If you want to buy and sell dozens of different cryptos and operate as a trader, Bitso is the most complete platform in Mexico. And if what you need is a dollar account to receive payments from abroad or make international transfers, ARQ (formerly DolarApp) is designed for that.

The three options, without filter

Bitsave: the digital piggy bank

Bitsave was born with a clear idea: that anyone in Latin America can protect their money in digital dollars and Bitcoin without needing a degree in finance. It is not an exchange. You won't find 50 coins or candlestick charts. What you will find is an app where you buy USDC (digital dollars) or Bitcoin from $250 Mexican pesos [1].

It is authorized by the CMF of Chile [2] and uses BitGo for the custody of your funds, which is the same service used by financial institutions in the United States [3]. It operates in Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Argentina.

What Bitsave does different is that it doesn't overwhelm you. There is no leverage, no futures, no tokens that no one knows about. It's saving, not trading.

The good:

• Ultra simple experience. Your aunt could use it

• Minimum of $250 MXN to start

• Automatic DCA (scheduled recurring purchases)

• Institutional custody with BitGo

• Only USDC and Bitcoin, which reduces the risk of getting into junk crypto

The not so good:

• Only two purchase options (USDC and Bitcoin). If you want ETH or altcoins, it's not here

• You do not have a debit card to spend directly

• The brand is still little known in Mexico compared to Bitso

Bitso: the Mexican giant

Bitso is the largest crypto platform in Mexico and one of the largest in Latin America, with more than 9 million users [4]. Founded in 2014, it was a pioneer in the country and for a long time was the obligatory reference for anyone who wanted to buy Bitcoin in Mexico.

It offers a wide variety of cryptos: Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, XRP, Solana and many more [5]. It also has features like Bitso Transfer (sending crypto between users without commission) and Bitso Alpha for more advanced traders.

Something important: Bitso lost its debit card. This was a blow to many users who used it to spend their crypto on a daily basis [6]. Furthermore, although Bitso has requested a full license from the CNBV under the Mexican Fintech Law, as of April 2026 it is still in the process of full authorization [7].

The good:

• The crypto platform with the most users in Mexico

• Variety of cryptos available

• Bitso Transfer (free shipments between Bitso users)

• High liquidity in MXN pairs

• Mature app with years of development

The not so good:

• Fees that can be confusing

• You no longer have a debit card

• Full license before CNBV pending

• The interface can intimidate those who just want to save

ARQ (formerly DolarApp): the dollar account

DolarApp changed its name to ARQ in 2026 [8]. The original idea remains the same: give you an account in dollars without having to open an account in the United States. It is supported by Y Combinator [9] and has positioned itself as an option for freelancers and people who receive international payments.

But there is something important to clarify: ARQ is not really a crypto platform. It is more similar to a traditional fintech that gives you access to dollars. You don't buy Bitcoin, you don't buy USDC as such. Your dollars are in an account backed by a financial partner in the United States [10].

ARQ offers a debit card to spend in dollars and the possibility of receiving international transfers via SWIFT and wire transfer [11].

The good:

• Functional dollar account (receive, send, spend)

• Dollar debit card

• International transfers

• Clean and easy to use interface

• Y Combinator support

The not so good:

• It is not a crypto platform. You do not buy Bitcoin or USDC directly

• Currency exchange fees

• Limited functionality if you're looking for long-term savings in crypto

• More limited geographic availability than Bitso or Bitsave

The table you were looking for

Which one is for you? Guide by profile

"I want to protect my pesos from inflation and save little by little"

Your option: Bitsave.

You can start with $250 MXN, schedule automatic purchases every fortnight and forget about it. You don't need to understand crypto. You buy digital dollars, save them, and that's it. It's like having a little pig, but in dollars.

Start saving on Bitsave →

"I want to buy and sell different cryptos, I already know what I'm doing"

Your option: Bitso.

It has the largest variety of cryptos in Mexico, good liquidity and trading tools. If you already know how to distinguish between a market order and a limit order, and you want access to multiple currencies, Bitso is the most complete platform.

"I charge in dollars and I need an account to receive and spend them"

Your option: ARQ.

If you are a freelancer, work remotely for a US company or simply need to move dollars without the obstacles of a traditional bank, ARQ gives you a dollar account with a card included.

"I don't know anything about crypto and I'm afraid of making mistakes"

Your option: Bitsave.

It was designed exactly for you. No jargon, no complicated charts, no 50 options you don't understand. You buy digital dollars from your cell phone, protected in institutional custody. Spot.

Create your free account on Bitsave →

"I want all three"

It's not a bad idea. Many people use more than one app depending on what they need. You could save on Bitsave, trade on Bitso when you want exposure to other cryptos, and have ARQ for your international payments. They are not exclusive.

And the prices? Let's talk about the exchange rate

Something that few comparisons mention: the real cost is not only in the visible commission. It is also in the exchange rate spread.

When you buy digital dollars on any platform, the exchange rate they give you is almost never the market exchange rate (around $17.80 MXN per dollar at the time of writing this) [12]. Each app adds a small margin. That margin is, in practice, part of your cost.

Before choosing, do this test: open the three apps, simulate a purchase of $1,000 MXN, and compare how many dollars (or USDC, or whatever) they give you. That difference is worth more than any commission table.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to use Bitsave?

Bitsave is authorized by the CMF (Commission for the Financial Market of Chile) [2] and uses BitGo for the custody of its users' funds [3]. BitGo is a US-based institutional custody company that protects funds from multiple financial platforms globally.

Is Bitso regulated in Mexico?

Bitso operates under the framework of the Mexican Fintech Law and has requested the full license from the CNBV. As of April 2026, the process is still active [7]. Bitso has operated in Mexico since 2014 and is the largest crypto platform in the country.

Is ARQ the same as DolarApp?

Yes. DolarApp changed its name to ARQ in 2026 [8]. The product is the same: a dollar account for Mexico and Latin America.

Can I buy Bitcoin on ARQ?

Not directly. ARQ focuses on dollar accounts and international transfers, not crypto. If you want Bitcoin, Bitsave or Bitso are the options.

Which is cheaper?

It depends on what you buy, how much and how. Visible commissions do not tell the whole story. Always compare the total cost (exchange rate spread commission) by doing a real simulation in each app.

Can I use all three at the same time?

Yes. There is no problem in having an account on several platforms. In fact, many users diversify: they save in one, trade in another, and receive payments in another.

What happens if any of these apps close?

In the case of Bitsave, your funds are held in custody by BitGo, an independent company. At Bitso, funds are in the custody of the platform itself. At ARQ, the support comes from its financial partner in the United States. In all three cases, it is important not to leave amounts that you cannot afford to lose on any digital platform.

Which is best for remittances?

If you send money between Mexico and other Latin American countries, Bitsave has the remittance option [1]. If you send between Bitso users, Bitso Transfer is free [5]. If you need to receive SWIFT transfers from the United States or Europe, ARQ is the best option [11].

Start protecting your money with Bitsave →

References

[1] Bitsave. "Save in digital dollars and Bitcoin."https://bitsaveapp.com

[2] Commission for the Financial Market (CMF), Chile. Registration of cryptocurrency service providers.https://www.cmfchile.cl

[3] BitGo. "Institutional Digital Asset Custody."https://www.bitgo.com

[4] Bitso. "About Bitso."https://bitso.com/about

[5] Bitso. "Products and services."https://bitso.com

[6] Expansion. "Bitso suspends its debit card in Mexico."
https://expansion.mx/fintech/2023/bitso-suspende-tarjeta-debito

[7] CNBV. Registry of Financial Technology Institutions.https://www.gob.mx/cnbv

[8] [VERIFY: source of the rebrand from DolarApp to ARQ. Search for official statement or coverage on TechCrunch, Contxto or similar]

[9] Y Combinator. "DolarApp (now ARQ)."
https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/dolarapp

[10] ARQ (ex-DolarApp). Frequently asked questions.https://www.arq.mx/faq

[11] ARQ (ex-DolarApp). International transfers and card.
https://www.arq.mx

[12] Bank of Mexico. USD/MXN exchange rate ~$17.80.https://www.banxico.org.mx

This article is informational and does not constitute financial advice. Virtual assets are not legal tender in Mexico and are not backed by the Federal Government. Before making any decisions about your money, do your own research and consult a professional.