El Salvador’s Bitcoin Accumulation: IMF Clarifies
El Salvador used no public funds to accumulate Bitcoin after the first review of its International Monetary Fund (IMF) financing program in June 2025, according to the lender.
(Quote from the IMF statement)
In a Thursday statement, the IMF revealed documents supplied by Salvadoran authorities confirmed that the Bitcoin addition since June 2025 came from private donations. The increase in El Salvador’s Bitcoin holdings therefore did not reflect purchases financed with government resources.
The IMF also noted:
- Majority ownership and operational control of the Chivo wallet had been transferred to a private operator, while the government retained a minority stake and custodial responsibilities.
- No further accumulation beyond documented donations is expected.
This explanation addresses questions raised after El Salvador reported acquiring 1,090 BTC worth $100 million in November 2025, in line with its IMF program.
Related:
- IMF clarifies on El Salvador’s Bitcoin wallet sale plans
- El Salvador’s continuous Bitcoin accumulation sparks discussions
Bitcoin additions had previously raised questions, prompting the IMF to issue guidelines barring "voluntary accumulation" by the public sector in March 2025. However, El Salvador continued its Bitcoin purchases, stating they would add at least one BTC daily.
The National Bitcoin Office reports that El Salvador currently holds approximately 7,764 Bitcoin, with a market value of about $628 million based on the current price of $80,900 per coin (as per CoinGecko).