El Salvador Keeps Buying Bitcoin Despite IMF Pressure to Scale Back Crypto Ambitions

El Salvador has continued adding Bitcoin to its reserves despite agreeing to scale back its crypto ambitions under a recent $1.4 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund.

El Salvador has continued to increase its Bitcoin holdings despite agreeing to scale back its crypto ambitions as part of a recent $1.4 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to data from the Salvadoran government, the country has purchased 52 Bitcoin since the start of 2025, bringing its total holdings to over 6,055 Bitcoin — currently valued at nearly $600 million.

The government typically buys one Bitcoin per day, but it acquired two on February 1.

The IMF agreement, signed in December, requires El Salvador to make Bitcoin acceptance voluntary for businesses, limit public sector involvement in crypto-related activities, and ensure that taxes are paid exclusively in US dollars.

The government has also committed to gradually reducing its role in the Chivo Wallet, a state-backed crypto payment app launched in 2021 to encourage Bitcoin use.

Last week, lawmakers and President Nayib Bukele passed legal amendments to comply with these conditions.

Bukele has consistently framed Bitcoin as a tool for financial inclusion, arguing that it could benefit the 70% of Salvadorans who do not have access to traditional banking services.

Previously, businesses were required to accept the cryptocurrency, a policy that faced resistance from retailers concerned about the volatility.

Despite IMF pressure to limit Bitcoin’s role, the government has signaled that it will continue accumulating Bitcoin.

Bukele's administration has been buying Bitcoin daily since late 2022, using a dollar-cost averaging strategy.

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