IMF Contradicts El Salvador’s Bitcoin Purchase Claims

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has claimed ongoing Bitcoin purchases since 2021; however, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) states that no new acquisitions have been made since February 2025, challenging these assertions.

The IMF report highlights the discrepancy in El Salvador’s Bitcoin acquisition policy, questioning President Bukele’s public announcements and the nation’s financial transparency.

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The IMF has countered President Nayib Bukele’s statements regarding ongoing Bitcoin purchases by indicating no new acquisitions have been made. Douglas Pablo Rodríguez Fuentes, Central Bank President of El Salvador, confirmed only internal redistributions between government wallets, contradicting the President’s claims of continued buying.

No, it’s not stopping. If it didn’t stop when the world ostracized us and most ‘bitcoiners’ abandoned us, it won’t stop now, and it won’t stop in the future. Proof of work > proof of whining. – President Nayib Bukele, President, El Salvador

El Salvador’s $1.4 billion deal with the IMF was contingent on halting new Bitcoin purchases. The IMF and Salvadoran officials report that the overall stock of Bitcoin remains unchanged, casting doubt on President Bukele’s public statements. Regulatory oversight and transparency remain focal points.

This dispute impacts El Salvador’s credibility with financial institutions, potentially affecting funding and investor confidence. Bitcoin’s market perception may also be influenced as El Salvador has been a notable adopter. Financial implications include scrutinized privatization efforts of the government’s Chivo wallet.

While President Bukele maintains that Bitcoin buying continues, the IMF’s findings challenge this narrative, suggesting a focus on wallet consolidations rather than fresh investments. Historical trends show previous discrepancies, and this situation underlines El Salvador’s economic strategy dilemmas.