The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised El Salvador for achieving stronger-than-expected economic growth, highlighting improved confidence, record remittance inflows, and robust investment as key drivers of expansion. In a statement released Monday, the IMF projected that El Salvador’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth could reach around 4%, with the outlook for 2026 described as “very good.”
Notably, the IMF’s latest update did not reiterate its earlier suggestions that El Salvador would pause or scale back its bitcoin accumulation strategy. This omission comes despite the fact that the Central American nation, led by President Nayib Bukele, has continued to increase its bitcoin holdings even after negotiating a major IMF loan package earlier this year.
El Salvador has remained committed to its bitcoin policy, viewing the digital asset as part of its long-term national treasury strategy. In November, the government significantly increased its bitcoin purchases, adding more than 1,000 BTC during a period of sharp market selloffs. This move diverged from its typical approach of purchasing roughly one bitcoin per day. As of now, El Salvador holds nearly 7,500 BTC, valued at approximately $660 million based on current market prices.
While the IMF avoided direct criticism of ongoing bitcoin accumulation, it did confirm that negotiations over the sale of the government’s Chivo crypto wallet are “well advanced.” The IMF also stated that discussions related to El Salvador’s bitcoin project are ongoing, with a focus on enhancing transparency, protecting public resources, and mitigating financial risks associated with digital assets.
In March, El Salvador reached an agreement with the IMF for a $3.5 billion loan package under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The IMF emphasized that close engagement with Salvadoran authorities will continue as both sides work toward completing the second review of the EFF program, ensuring that agreed-upon reforms and policy commitments remain on track.
Overall, the IMF’s comments suggest cautious optimism, recognizing El Salvador’s economic momentum while continuing to monitor the country’s unique and closely watched bitcoin strategy.
