El Salvador's Bitcoin Reserve Tops $618 Million Despite IMF Conditions

El Salvador's Bitcoin reserve has grown to $618 million, with the country holding between 7,760 and 7,792 BTC. The reserve has been valued at approximately $598 million to $660 million, depending on Bitcoin's price. The country has been holding Bitcoin since 2021, despite conditions attached to its loan program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The reserve has increased since the IMF program began, with over 1,700 additional BTC held. Independent trackers such as BitcoinTreasuries.net confirm the government's official figures. The National Bitcoin Office continues to report incremental additions to the reserve.

The IMF approved a $1.4 billion Extended Fund Facility for El Salvador in February 2025, with policy commitments including limits on public-sector Bitcoin accumulation. However, the IMF reviewed the program in October 2026 and found that Bitcoin added since June 2025 came from private donations, not government resources. As a result, the public-sector accumulation limits were waived for those coins.

The government also made changes to the Chivo wallet, shifting control to a private operator. This was a compromise in the 2025 loan program, which included limits on public spending on Bitcoin and continued scrutiny through periodic reviews. The government has reiterated a long-term holding strategy, signaling plans to keep the coins rather than trade them.