IMF: El Salvador stopped using public funds for bitcoin in June 2025
International Monetary Fund confirms bitcoin funding shift
El Salvador has not used public money to buy bitcoin since June 2025. The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that recent additions to the country’s holdings came from private donations instead of government funds.
The disclosure was released as IMF staff agreed to a deal with Salvadoran officials. The agreement would make about $140 million available to the Central American nation, pending final board approval and completion of set actions.
Key figures and timeline
- The IMF program covers a 40-month period and combines the second and third reviews.
- In May 2025, the government added 8 BTC, bringing holdings to 6,190.18 BTC.
- In November 2025, El Salvador disclosed a purchase of 1,090 BTC valued at roughly $100 million, the largest single-day buy at the time.
IMF stance on future accumulation
The IMF stated that no further bitcoin buying is expected beyond the documented private donations. It also noted the country is improving transparency around its various bitcoin wallets and strengthening governance and risk management for public crypto holdings.
Chivo wallet overhaul
The government has largely stepped back from direct operation of its Chivo e-wallet. A private operator now holds majority ownership and controls operations, while the state keeps a smaller stake and remains responsible for holding customer assets.
Bitcoin market context
Bitcoin was trading near $81,000 on Friday, up 4.5% from the day before, with a market value of about $1.6 trillion and $42.6 billion in daily trading volume.
What is confirmed
El Salvador’s central bank and Bitcoin Office confirmed that bitcoin acquired since June 2025 was funded by private donations, not public funds.
What is still unclear
The exact total amount of bitcoin accumulated through private donations since June 2025 was not provided in the IMF statement.
Why this matters for El Salvador’s program
Bitcoin has been a major part of El Salvador’s economy and relationship with international lenders. Clarifying that recent buys were donation-funded supports the country’s efforts to meet IMF conditions and secure financing.
Next steps
The IMF deal requires approval from the IMF Executive Board and completion of prior actions before the $140 million becomes available.
Sources
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