IMF clears the air on El Salvador’s growing Bitcoin reserves
How did El Salvador’s Bitcoin balance increase despite restricted public-sector buying?
El Salvador’s ever-growing Bitcoin [BTC] stash has been a topic of conversation for years now. This is because the country was under agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to limit public-sector accumulation.
Now, the IMF has come forward to offer clarifications.
Bitcoin holdings increased through private contributions
According to the IMF, all Bitcoin added to official holdings since June 2025 came from private donations. They also stated that no further buying beyond these documented donations is expected.
This explains how El Salvador’s Bitcoin balance continued to rise, even though earlier IMF discussions required the public sector’s Bitcoin holdings to remain unchanged. The country’s official BTC tracker showed 7,764.37 BTC at the time of writing. Balance jumped by a 1000 BTC in November, and has continued to receive one BTC a day.
However, the IMF did not reveal who the donors were or how much Bitcoin each contributor provided.
IMF and El Salvador continue talks on crypto rules
The Bitcoin issue has been one of the major discussion points between El Salvador and the IMF as part of the country’s $1.4 billion financing programme. As part of the agreement, El Salvador made changes to its crypto framework, including making Bitcoin acceptance voluntary for private businesses and limiting government involvement in BTC purchases.
The country has also reduced the role of its Chivo crypto wallet, transferring most operations and ownership control to a private operator. They now only hold responsibility for customer asset custody.
AMBCrypto previously reported that El Salvador’s Bitcoin story is far from where they started. The country made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, with the idea of more people and businesses using it. Over time, many holders started held onto their BTC instead of spending it. The HODL-ing approach changed Bitcoin’s role in the country.
Final Summary
- IMF confirmed that El Salvador’s Bitcoin holdings grew through private donations, not public fund purchases.
- El Salvador’s BTC utility plan has gone from everyday usage to long-term holding.
