From the analysis of monetary substitution phenomenon, this study interprets the economic dynamics of Argentina in the 1980s and 1990. The theoretical approach to the phenomenon integrates the features of the contemporary monetary and international financial system, and the specific features of national policies implemented in the country. At the same time, it explores another key dimension usually not treated in the literature: monetary sovereignty. To investigate the matter, first, the main features of the international monetary and financial system are presented, and the dilemmas that the emitting countries of peripheral currencies face. Subsequently, from a regulationist view of the currency, is presented a concept of monetary sovereign. Finally, it evaluates in detail, focusing on the monetary and financial relations, the Argentine economic dynamics. The hypothesis to be tested throughout the work is that the evidenced in the Argentine currency substitution process had close relationship with the country's insertion profile in the international monetary system and the globalized finance.