**El Salvador Pauses Daily Bitcoin Purchases as It Navigates $1.4B IMF Loan Agreement, Adjusting Crypto Policies for Economic Stability**
El Salvador has decided to pause its daily Bitcoin purchases in light of a $1.4 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This decision comes as the country adapts its Bitcoin policies to align with IMF requirements while still holding a substantial amount of Bitcoin—over 6,000 BTC. The new approach includes making Bitcoin acceptance optional for businesses and scaling back government-led crypto initiatives.
According to blockchain data from Arkham Intelligence, the last recorded Bitcoin acquisition from El Salvador’s wallet took place on February 17. This pause follows the recent agreement with the IMF, which is part of a 40-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) deal that took four years to negotiate. The agreement necessitates changes to El Salvador’s Bitcoin policies, including reducing state-driven initiatives and allowing private businesses to choose whether to accept Bitcoin.
President Nayib Bukele, who initiated the daily Bitcoin buying strategy in November 2022, has consistently highlighted the importance of Bitcoin as a national asset. However, the new IMF terms aim to strike a balance between the country’s Bitcoin aspirations and the need for fiscal stability. To comply with these requirements, El Salvador’s legislature approved amendments to its Bitcoin Law in January 2025.
As of now, El Salvador holds approximately 6,077 BTC, valued at around $586 million based on current market prices. These holdings consist of both daily purchases and larger, occasional transactions. Interestingly, the country has deviated from its daily acquisition strategy on several occasions. For instance, in December 2024, shortly after finalizing the IMF deal, El Salvador made a single transaction worth $1 million in Bitcoin. Additionally, on February 4, 2025, the government purchased 11 BTC valued at over $1 million.
In March 2024, Bukele transferred about 5,600 BTC—valued at over $400 million at the time—to a cold wallet referred to as “El Salvador’s first Bitcoin piggy bank.” This marked a significant moment as it was the first time the government publicly shared its Bitcoin wallet address, moving away from the previous practice of announcing purchases solely through Bukele’s social media.
Despite these policy adjustments, El Salvador’s Bitcoin strategy remains closely linked to its broader financial objectives. The IMF loan is anticipated to unlock additional financial support, potentially exceeding $3.5 billion throughout the program’s duration. As El Salvador navigates these changes, it continues to balance its Bitcoin adoption with the economic pressures it faces. The country’s Bitcoin policies have been under scrutiny, but the government remains committed to finding a path that supports both innovation and stability.
