El Salvador’s long-standing bet on Bitcoin is gaining fresh traction as the value of its sovereign holdings swelled to over $644 million amid a broader market rally. The Central American nation now holds approximately 6,181 BTC, putting it just behind major global players like the U.S., China, the U.K., Ukraine, and Bhutan in terms of national Bitcoin reserves.
President Nayib Bukele took to social media on Sunday to share the latest snapshot of the country’s Bitcoin stash. The holdings, bolstered by an additional 30 BTC acquired in the past month, have increased by $137 million over the last 30 days alone, according to El Salvador’s Bitcoin National Office.
Although prices slightly retraced to around $637 million in total valuation at the time of writing, the surge reflects Bitcoin’s recent push toward its all-time high. The cryptocurrency briefly touched $106,500 over the weekend before correcting to $103,172, according to CoinGecko data.
El Salvador’s strategy of steady accumulation appears to be paying off, especially as global confidence in sovereign crypto holdings begins to grow. The country’s firm position—despite past criticism—may now serve as a case study for emerging markets exploring Bitcoin as a national reserve asset.
El Salvador Keeps Buying Despite IMF Agreement
El Salvador continues to steadily build its Bitcoin reserves—even after securing a $1.4 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in December that placed restrictions on public-sector crypto involvement and encouraged the rollback of Bitcoin’s legal tender status.
The key to this balancing act lies in technicalities. The country’s Bitcoin Office, which operates independently of the core fiscal sector, has maintained its commitment to a “one Bitcoin a day” acquisition strategy. This approach allows El Salvador to sidestep direct IMF restrictions while still expanding its BTC holdings.
IMF Western Hemisphere Director Rodrigo Valdés confirmed last month that the country is in compliance with its pledge.
“El Salvador continues to meet its commitment of non-accumulation of Bitcoin by the fiscal sector,” Valdés stated, emphasizing the fine line the government is walking.
President Nayib Bukele remains unapologetically committed to Bitcoin. In a March post on X (formerly Twitter), he addressed repeated claims that the policy would be reversed.
“This all stops in April. This all stops in June. This all stops in December. No, it’s not stopping,” he wrote.
El Salvador Now Sixth-Largest Sovereign BTC Holder
With 6,181 BTC now in its national reserves, El Salvador has officially climbed to the sixth spot among sovereign Bitcoin holders—just behind the U.S., China, the U.K., Ukraine, and Bhutan, according to data from Bitcoin Treasuries. The milestone cements the country’s role as a global trailblazer in state-level Bitcoin adoption.
As El Salvador’s experiment unfolds, other nations are beginning to pay close attention—and in some cases, take action of their own. Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao revealed last month that he’s been working with multiple governments worldwide, offering free advisory services on how to build national crypto reserves.
“We are talking with many countries,” CZ said, noting that discussions include practical strategies like cold storage infrastructure and secure wallet management for state-owned digital assets.
El Salvador’s growing footprint in the Bitcoin ecosystem could serve as a blueprint for others, especially as more countries explore crypto as a hedge against fiat volatility and geopolitical uncertainty. The idea of national crypto reserves—once seen as fringe—is quickly gaining legitimacy on the global stage.
Quick Facts
- El Salvador’s Bitcoin holdings rose by $137 million over the past month, bringing the total value of its national stash to more than $644 million.
- The country currently holds 6,181 BTC, placing it sixth globally among sovereign Bitcoin holders, just behind the U.S., China, the U.K., Ukraine, and Bhutan.
- Despite the terms of a $1.4 billion IMF loan, El Salvador continues acquiring Bitcoin through its autonomous Bitcoin Office using a one-BTC-per-day strategy.
- Global interest in sovereign crypto reserves is growing, with governments seeking advice on cold storage and wallet infrastructure from figures like CZ of Binance.
