El Salvador reportedly pauses daily Bitcoin purchases amid IMF loan agreement
El Salvador halts daily Bitcoin purchases amid IMF loan agreement
El Salvador appears to have paused its daily Bitcoin acquisition strategy, according to blockchain tracking data from Arkham Intelligence. The country’s last recorded purchase occurred on February 17, marking a potential shift in its Bitcoin policy following a $1.4 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The 40-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement with the IMF, reached after years of negotiations, includes stipulations requiring El Salvador to revise its Bitcoin policies, reports Crypto Briefing.
As part of these conditions, the country has committed to reducing state-driven Bitcoin initiatives and ensuring that businesses are not obligated to accept Bitcoin as payment. In line with these requirements, El Salvador’s legislature approved modifications to its Bitcoin law in January 2025.
As of now, El Salvador holds more than 6,000 BTC, valued at approximately $586 million at current market rates. President Nayib Bukele initiated a policy of purchasing one Bitcoin daily in November 2022, reinforcing the country’s commitment to Bitcoin as a national asset.
IMF deal forces El Salvador to scale back Bitcoin plans
In March 2024, Bukele announced that El Salvador had transferred its Bitcoin holdings—then totaling 5,600 BTC worth over $400 million—to a cold wallet, referring to it as the country’s «first Bitcoin piggy bank.» This move provided transparency into the country’s Bitcoin reserves, as previous acquisitions had only been disclosed through Bukele’s social media updates.
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In December 2024, shortly after finalizing its financing deal with the IMF, the country added $1 million worth of Bitcoin to its reserves in a single transaction.
Similarly, on February 4, 2025, El Salvador purchased 11 BTC in one day, exceeding $1 million in value. These moves indicate that while the government may be adapting its strategy in response to economic agreements, it remains actively engaged in Bitcoin investment.
With the IMF loan expected to attract additional financial support—potentially exceeding $3.5 billion over the program’s duration—El Salvador’s balancing act between traditional financial institutions and its Bitcoin advocacy will be closely watched in the months ahead.
