3-8-2025 – El Salvador has added seven Bitcoin (BTC) to its national reserves over the past week, bringing its total holdings to 6,256.18 BTC, valued at approximately $708.5 million, according to PANews. The increase reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to cryptocurrency under President Nayib Bukele’s leadership.
Since adopting Bitcoin as legal tender in September 2021, El Salvador has steadily expanded its strategic Bitcoin reserve, often through daily purchases of one BTC. The nation’s portfolio has grown significantly, with a reported 133% return on investment as of December 2024, driven by Bitcoin’s price surge past $100,000. Despite a $1.4 billion IMF loan agreement in December 2024 requiring reduced Bitcoin exposure, the government continues its acquisitions, with Stacy Herbert, director of the National Bitcoin Office, affirming Bitcoin’s status as legal tender.
The latest purchase comes amid mixed outcomes for El Salvador’s crypto experiment. While Bukele touts financial inclusion and economic innovation, a January 2025 survey indicated 92% of Salvadorans do not use Bitcoin for transactions. Critics, including the IMF, warn of volatility risks and limited adoption, though the country’s holdings have yielded substantial unrealized gains.
