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El Salvador Buys 1,090 Bitcoin Amid IMF Loan Compliance Questions

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  • El Salvador adds 1,090 BTC to reserves: The purchase occurred as Bitcoin prices fell, reflecting the country’s consistent buying approach during downturns.

  • Current holdings reach 7,474 BTC, worth about $670 million at prevailing rates, positioning El Salvador as a major governmental holder.

  • IMF loan agreement raises compliance concerns, with restrictions on new Bitcoin acquisitions, though officials maintain the strategy’s continuation.

Discover El Salvador’s bold Bitcoin purchase strategy in 2025, adding 1,090 BTC amid market dips. Explore holdings, IMF tensions, and long-term vision—stay informed on crypto adoption trends today!

What is El Salvador’s Latest Bitcoin Purchase?

El Salvador’s Bitcoin purchase involves the acquisition of 1,090 BTC valued at nearly $100 million, executed when the cryptocurrency dipped below $90,000. This strategic buy, announced by President Nayib Bukele, underscores the nation’s commitment to building its digital asset reserves during market volatility. The move elevates the country’s total holdings to approximately 7,474 BTC, currently assessed at around $670 million based on recent market data from platforms like CoinMarketCap.

How Does This Purchase Impact El Salvador’s IMF Relations?

El Salvador’s recent Bitcoin acquisition has intensified scrutiny under its $1.3 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which prohibits new public sector purchases of the volatile asset. IMF reports, as cited in financial analyses, emphasize the risks of Bitcoin’s price swings to national reserves, recommending limitations on exposure. Despite this, El Salvador’s Bitcoin Office data indicates the purchase was timed at around 7:00 p.m. ET, with President Bukele publicly affirming the policy’s resilience. Experts from financial institutions like the IMF have noted that such buys could stem from reallocating existing assets rather than fresh market entries, a point of ongoing debate. In May 2025, Bukele dismissed predictions of policy abandonment, stating, “Proof of work is greater than proof of whining,” highlighting the government’s defiance. This tension illustrates the broader challenge of balancing international financial obligations with innovative cryptocurrency strategies, as observed by economists tracking global adoption trends.

President Bukele shares a new Bitcoin buy as El Salvador continues its strategy of adding BTC during market dips.

Key Highlights

El Salvador, the first country to make Bitcoin legal tender, said it added 1,090 Bitcoin (BTC) on Monday, a purchase worth nearly $100 million after Bitcoin fell below $90,000. This brings the government’s publicly reported total holdings to approximately 7,474 BTC, worth around $670 million at current prices.

According to data from the country’s Bitcoin Office, the purchase occurred around 7:00 p.m. ET.

The purchase comes amid Bitcoin falling below $90,000, hitting a six-month low as global markets weakened. Even so, at the time of writing, it was trading around $89,916, still down about 5% in the last 24 hours, as per data from CoinMarketCap.

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Hooah! pic.twitter.com/KxMVbUrcGE

— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) November 18, 2025

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele posted a screenshot of the acquisition on X, signaling that the government is still following its long-running approach of adding bitcoin during price dips. Since November 2022, the administration has claimed to buy 1 BTC per day, alongside occasional large purchases like this one.

Tension with IMF conditions

Despite the announcement, there is confusion about whether El Salvador actually bought 1,090 BTC from the open market. Under a $1.3 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country’s public sector is not supposed to make new Bitcoin purchases.

The IMF repeatedly urged the country to limit public sector exposure due to Bitcoin’s volatility. An IMF report also suggested that recent increases in reserves may simply reflect the government moving or consolidating existing holdings rather than new buys.

However, in May, President Nayib Bukele pushed back against repeated predictions that El Salvador would end its Bitcoin policy, saying people had wrongly claimed it would stop in April, June, or December.

He argued that if the country didn’t back down when it was isolated internationally and even abandoned by many Bitcoin supporters, it certainly won’t stop now. Bukele summed it up with a sharp line, “Proof of work is greater than proof of whining.”

People still prefer dollars, but the strategy continues

Stacy Herbert, Head of the Bitcoin Office, has previously challenged the IMF’s claims and maintains that El Salvador continues to buy bitcoin regardless of the conditions in the loan agreement.

While El Salvador became the first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, actual day-to-day use remains limited. Most people and businesses still rely primarily on the U.S. dollar, which remains the country’s main currency. Government-run bitcoin apps and wallets have seen mixed engagement since rollout.

Even so, the administration positions its Bitcoin strategy as a long-term effort, continuing to accumulate coins during market corrections. With its reported holdings, El Salvador is now considered one of the largest government Bitcoin holders, behind the U.S., China, and the U.K.

Also Read: Steak ‘n Shake’s Bitcoin Reserve Lifts Sales 15%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did El Salvador purchase 1,090 Bitcoin in 2025?

El Salvador acquired 1,090 BTC in November 2025 to capitalize on a market dip below $90,000, adhering to its policy of buying during price corrections. This addition strengthens national reserves, valued at $670 million, and demonstrates ongoing commitment to Bitcoin as a strategic asset despite external pressures.

Is El Salvador’s Bitcoin strategy compliant with IMF agreements?

El Salvador’s Bitcoin purchases face potential conflicts with IMF loan terms that restrict new acquisitions due to volatility risks. Officials, including the Bitcoin Office head, assert compliance through internal reallocations, while the IMF views these as possible consolidations rather than outright buys, maintaining dialogue on fiscal prudence.

Key Takeaways

  • Strategic Accumulation: El Salvador’s 1,090 BTC buy at a discount reinforces buying-the-dip tactics, growing holdings to 7,474 BTC for long-term value.
  • Global Positioning: As a top governmental holder, El Salvador trails only major economies like the U.S. and China, highlighting its pioneering role in crypto adoption.
  • Policy Resilience: Despite IMF restrictions, the government’s defiance, led by President Bukele, emphasizes sustained Bitcoin integration regardless of market or international challenges.

Conclusion

El Salvador’s latest Bitcoin purchase of 1,090 BTC exemplifies a steadfast approach to cryptocurrency accumulation amid volatility and IMF oversight. With total holdings now at 7,474 BTC worth $670 million, the nation continues to champion Bitcoin’s potential as legal tender, even as daily usage lags behind the U.S. dollar. This strategy not only tests global financial norms but positions El Salvador as a forward-thinking leader in digital assets—investors and policymakers alike should watch how this unfolds in the evolving crypto landscape.

Jocelyn Blake

Jocelyn Blake

Jocelyn Blake is a 29-year-old writer with a particular interest in NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). With a love for exploring the latest trends in the cryptocurrency space, Jocelyn provides valuable insights on the world of NFTs.
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