Bitcoin News Today: El Salvador Defies IMF Skepticism, Bitcoin Holdings Hit $775M

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Sunday, Oct 5, 2025 11:09 am ET2min read
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- El Salvador’s Bitcoin holdings hit $775M as of July 2025, totaling 6,246 BTC with $475M in unrealized gains.

- Government employs a "buy and hold" strategy, using geothermal mining and daily purchases since 2022, while securing assets in cold storage.

- Bitcoin adoption aims to boost financial inclusion and remittances (25% of GDP), but domestic usage remains low at 8% of citizens.

- Challenges include price volatility, IMF skepticism, and limited Chivo wallet adoption, yet the administration plans Bitcoin City and Volcano Bonds.

- President Bukele defends Bitcoin as a hedge against dollarization, defying international criticism while expanding crypto infrastructure.

El Salvador's

holdings reached $775 million in value as of July 2025, with the nation's sovereign reserves comprising 6,246 , according to data from the National Bitcoin Office and verified by CoinMarketCap El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings: Government Increases Reserves to …[1]. These holdings have generated unrealized profits of $475 million since the government's initial purchases in 2021, marking a 162% increase in volume from the 2,381 BTC acquired at the start of its crypto strategy El Salvador’s Crypto Portfolio In 2025 - tradersunion.com[2]. The government's average purchase price per Bitcoin stands at $43,357, with total investments exceeding $103 million across varying market conditions El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings in 2025: How Much BTC Does the …[3]. The country's reserves have surged due to a combination of direct purchases, including large-scale buys during market downturns, and geothermal-powered mining operations The Daily: Galaxy, Jump, and Multicoin lead $1.65B Solana …[4].

The Salvadoran government has maintained a "buy and hold" strategy, purchasing one Bitcoin daily since 2022 and expanding its reserves through volcanic energy mining El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings: Government Increases Reserves to …[1]. President Nayib Bukele recently announced an additional 21 BTC purchase to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the 2021 Bitcoin law, bringing the total holdings to 6,313 BTC valued at $710 million . The government has also diversified its acquisition methods, including a recent move to split its BTC across 14 addresses to mitigate quantum computing risks . Despite a 2024 IMF loan agreement that relaxed mandatory Bitcoin acceptance for businesses, the administration continues daily purchases, contradicting earlier statements about pausing acquisitions .

Security measures for El Salvador's holdings include cold storage in a physical vault, with 5,689 BTC transferred offline in March 2024 to protect against cyber threats El Salvador’s Crypto Portfolio In 2025 - tradersunion.com[2]. The government also utilizes custodial wallets for operational transactions but has reduced involvement with the Chivo wallet following IMF negotiations El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings in 2025: How Much BTC Does the …[3]. Mining operations, leveraging geothermal energy from volcanoes, have contributed nearly 474 BTC to reserves since 2021, further diversifying the country's acquisition strategy El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings in 2025: How Much BTC Does the …[3].

Economically, Bitcoin's adoption has enhanced financial inclusion, enabling unbanked citizens to access digital transactions and remittances. Remittances account for nearly 25% of El Salvador's GDP, and Bitcoin's integration aims to reduce transfer costs and improve cross-border efficiency The Daily: Galaxy, Jump, and Multicoin lead $1.65B Solana …[4]. However, domestic adoption remains limited, with surveys indicating only 8% of Salvadorans used Bitcoin in 2024, averaging 14 transactions annually The Daily: Galaxy, Jump, and Multicoin lead $1.65B Solana …[4]. The government's Chivo wallet initiative, while successful in tourist hubs, has not achieved widespread usage, prompting continued education and infrastructure investments The Daily: Galaxy, Jump, and Multicoin lead $1.65B Solana …[4].

Challenges persist, including Bitcoin's price volatility, which exposed the nation's reserves to significant valuation swings. For instance, portfolio values fluctuated between $24.5 million and $120,000 per BTC in recent years The Daily: Galaxy, Jump, and Multicoin lead $1.65B Solana …[4]. International skepticism, particularly from institutions like the IMF, has also raised concerns about financial stability and regulatory compliance El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings in 2025: How Much BTC Does the …[3]. Despite these risks, the government remains committed to its long-term holding strategy, with Bukele emphasizing Bitcoin's role as a hedge against dollarization and currency devaluation El Salvador’s Crypto Portfolio In 2025 - tradersunion.com[2].

Looking ahead, El Salvador plans to expand its Bitcoin City project, a tax-free economic hub powered by renewable energy, and issue Bitcoin-backed "Volcano Bonds" to fund infrastructure El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings in 2025: How Much BTC Does the …[3]. The government has also proposed a "rent your own volcano" initiative to attract geothermal-powered mining investments El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings in 2025: How Much BTC Does the …[3]. While the future of Bitcoin as legal tender remains uncertain, the administration's continued accumulation and innovation efforts underscore its vision for digital asset leadership in the region The Daily: Galaxy, Jump, and Multicoin lead $1.65B Solana …[4].

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