Bitcoin News Today: El Salvador Spreads Bitcoin Across Multiple Wallets to Thwart Quantum Threats

On September 8, 2025, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced the purchase of 21 Bitcoins (BTC) to commemorate Bitcoin Day, bringing the country's total BTC holdings to approximately 6,313.18 BTC, valued at around $701 million [3]. This acquisition marked the latest in a series of strategic Bitcoin-related moves by the Central American nation, which has been a global pioneer in adopting cryptocurrency as legal tender. The Bitcoin Office noted that the country's Bitcoin reserves had increased by 28 BTC over the past seven days [3]. The purchase was made at a time when El Salvador continues to hold one of the largest government-held Bitcoin reserves in the world, with the asset having generated a 127% profit since its initial acquisitions, based on an average price of $46,000 per Bitcoin [1].

The recent Bitcoin accumulation comes amid a broader strategic shift in the country’s economic policy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed that El Salvador paused its Bitcoin purchases in February 2025, effectively halting the government’s prior goal of making daily acquisitions. The July 2025 IMF review revealed no new state-backed Bitcoin purchases, though it acknowledged that on-chain movements were attributed to internal wallet transfers rather than fresh acquisitions [1]. Despite this pause, the government continues to view Bitcoin as a valuable financial asset, particularly as it aligns with the country's broader efforts to diversify its international reserves.

In parallel with its Bitcoin strategy, El Salvador recently completed a significant purchase of 13,999 troy ounces of gold, valued at $207.4 million, marking the country's first acquisition of the precious metal since 1990 [1]. The Central Reserve Bank (BCR) emphasized that the gold purchase was part of a medium- and long-term strategy aimed at strengthening international reserves, a move consistent with global central banks, which have purchased over 1,000 tons of gold annually in recent years [1]. The decision to diversify into gold reflects a broader trend among central banks, which allocate roughly 20% of their reserves to gold, second only to dollar-denominated assets. Gold is regarded as a universal strategic asset due to its stability and historical role as a store of value.

The government’s dual strategy of acquiring both Bitcoin and gold highlights El Salvador’s ongoing efforts to balance innovation with traditional economic safeguards. While Bitcoin remains a cornerstone of the country's financial strategy, the government has also been responsive to international pressure. Earlier this year, Congress passed reforms eliminating the mandatory acceptance of Bitcoin for businesses in January 2025, aligning with the terms of a $1.4 billion IMF loan agreement [1]. The IMF praised these changes for reducing fiscal risk and improving transparency, although Bitcoin remains a legal tender. The reforms also led to the privatization of the Chivo wallet, a government-backed digital wallet that had previously been central to the country's cryptocurrency adoption strategy [1].

In addition to its strategic acquisitions, El Salvador has also taken a proactive approach to enhancing the security of its Bitcoin holdings. The country recently redistributed its National Strategic Bitcoin Reserve from a single address into multiple new, unused addresses [2]. This move, described as one of the most forward-thinking security upgrades in the crypto space, was designed to mitigate potential vulnerabilities from quantum computing threats. By limiting the amount of Bitcoin stored in any single address to no more than 500 BTC, the government reduced the risk of a single point of failure and increased the overall resilience of its digital assets [2]. The initiative reflects a growing awareness of the technological risks facing the cryptocurrency industry and underscores El Salvador’s commitment to safeguarding its investments.

El Salvador's Bitcoin strategy has not only reshaped its domestic economic landscape but has also positioned the country as a key player in the global cryptocurrency ecosystem. As one of the top 10 countries with the largest Bitcoin holdings in 2025, El Salvador’s actions continue to influence market dynamics and regulatory discussions [4]. While the country’s approach has faced challenges, including volatility in the Bitcoin market and evolving international regulatory expectations, it remains a testament to the potential of digital assets in national economic planning. With ongoing efforts to balance innovation, security, and international cooperation, El Salvador is demonstrating how emerging economies can navigate the complexities of the digital financial era.

Source:

[1] El Salvador Adds 14,000 Troy Ounces of Gold After Bitcoin Pause (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/el-salvador-adds-14-000-103930646.html)

[2] El Salvador Redistributes National Bitcoin Reserve Across Multiple Addresses (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/el-salvador-redistributes-national-bitcoin-163014801.html)

[3] El Salvador's President Announces Bitcoin Day Purchase of 21 BTC (https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/a8060d82-bd1d-4ad3-8563-613db03f91dd)

[4] Which Countries Own The Most Bitcoin in 2025? (https://defi-planet.com/2025/09/which-countries-own-the-most-bitcoin-in-2025-top-10/)