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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said El Salvador is close to selling Chivo, the government-run Bitcoin<\/a> wallet, and that talks on the country\u2019s Bitcoin policy are still ongoing. It also said there are separate discussions focused specifically on Bitcoin purchases.<\/p>\n The statement ties back to a May agreement under a 2024 loan package worth US$1.4 billion (AU$2.1 billion), including a US$120 million (AU$183.6 million) payment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong> Australia\u2019s $60m Crypto Retirement Scheme Leaves Investors Short, Just $6.7m Found<\/a><\/p>\n The IMF and El Salvador continue negotiations on the second review of the EFF program. The \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfb authorities\u2019 remain committed to addressing imbalances and further discussions are expected with the aim of reaching staff-level agreement on the program. https:\/\/t.co\/YYUPcmerH0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 IMF (@IMFNews) December 22, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Under the published terms, El Salvador would stop buying Bitcoin, scale back public-sector activity tied to Bitcoin, and step away from Chivo. But it is still unclear if the government has fully followed the commitment to stop purchases.\u00a0<\/p>\n The IMF said in July that no Bitcoin had been bought since December 2024, but El Salvador\u2019s Bitcoin Office has continued posting purchase announcements, including 1,090 BTC valued at about US$100 million (AU$153 million) in November.<\/p>\n El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021 under President Nayib Bukele and has continued to frame Bitcoin as part of its strategy. Back in March, the president announced<\/a> that Bitcoin purchases were not stopping, defying the IMF, and that pressures from the IMF would not deter the country\u2019s Bitcoin activities.<\/p>\n The Bitcoin Office reported<\/a> holdings of 7,509 BTC, worth about US$659 million (AU$1 billion) as of Monday, while Bukele said in March that buying at least one Bitcoin per day would continue.<\/p>\n Recently, El Salvador\u2019s National Assembly passed<\/a> the Investment Banking Law, enabling institutions to provide Bitcoin services to qualified investors.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related:<\/strong> Crypto Industry Backs Cynthia Lummis as Pro-Bitcoin Senator Exits 2026 Race<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
El Salvador to Stop Buying Bitcoin\u2026 Apparently<\/h2>\n