- El Salvador bought 21 BTC to celebrate the fourth anniversary of its Bitcoin Law, bringing total holdings to 6,313 BTC worth about $701 million.
- The move highlights the country’s continued Bitcoin strategy, despite IMF loan conditions requiring a halt to public-sector accumulation.
El Salvador is back in the news for its bold Bitcoin move. On September 7, President Nayib Bukele went public to announce the country’s recent purchase of 21 BTC. With this purchase, the country’s Bitcoin reserves are approximately $700 million, which translates to 6,313 BTC with the current value of Bitcoin.
The acquisition also underlines the country’s Bitcoin-centric economic strategy, which is bound to win some fans and make others wary.
Buying 21 bitcoin for Bitcoin Day. pic.twitter.com/3X4yKeiqzg
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) September 7, 2025
El Salvador’s Bitcoin Accumulation Builds Symbolic Strength But Raises IMF Concerns
El Salvador is working under the treaty of the $1.4 billion loan package from the IMF, which has a public-sector acquisition of Bitcoin as a part of the deal, which they have to forgo. Under the new agreement, the government opted to modify the Bitcoin Law Liquidation, which guarantees public acquisition of Bitcoin as a concession.
Despite these concessions, the steady purchases have continued, raising questions about compliance. Future IMF disbursements remain contingent on regular reviews through 2027, leaving the government under scrutiny. At the same time, blockchain data confirms that the Bitcoin Office recently redistributed holdings across multiple wallets, a move officials said was intended to counter potential risks from advances in quantum computing.
Bitcoin Reserves Position El Salvador Among the Top Sovereign Holders as the Nation Prepares for Historic Crypto Event
For all the criticism, El Salvador’s Bitcoin portfolio has delivered significant paper gains. According to a report from the IMF from March, it is estimated that since 2021, the government has spent roughly $300 million on Bitcoin, with the current market value adding more than $400 million in unrealized profits. That puts El Salvador among the world’s leading state holders of the digital asset, well ahead of other countries still experimenting with mining-based approaches.
In our recent publication, El Salvador also announced that it will host its maiden government-backed Bitcoin conference, tagged “Bitcoin Histórico.” The event is scheduled to take place on November 12 and last till November 13, in San Salvador. The objective of the event is to consolidate El Salvador’s position as a global hub for digital currency innovation.
Although critics view this move as a serious gamble, given the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies, El Salvador is determined to keep Bitcoin at the center of its financial story.
