IMF Applauds El Salvador’s 4% GDP Surge in 2025 Fueled by Bitcoin Strategy

El Salvador's Bitcoin bet just got a major vote of confidence from the global financial establishment.

The Unlikely Endorsement

The International Monetary Fund, not typically known for its love of crypto, has publicly recognized the Central American nation's economic performance. The key figure? A solid 4% GDP growth for 2025. This growth trajectory is unfolding directly alongside the government's ongoing, and controversial, Bitcoin accumulation plan.

Strategy Over Speculation

Forget the day-trading narrative. El Salvador's approach treats Bitcoin as a core strategic reserve asset—buying the dips, funding public projects with profits, and building infrastructure to support its use. The IMF's acknowledgment suggests this long-game playbook might be yielding tangible macroeconomic results, moving the conversation from pure volatility to measured fiscal policy.

The Ripple Effect

The endorsement sends a powerful signal to other nations flirting with digital asset adoption. It provides a data point that sovereign crypto strategies can coexist with, and potentially enhance, traditional economic stability metrics. Watch for other developing economies to study this blueprint, especially those looking to bypass legacy financial gatekeepers.

A New Chapter for Crypto Nations

El Salvador's experiment is no longer just a headline. With the IMF's nod, it's becoming a case study. The 4% growth figure offers a counter-narrative to the skeptics and adds a layer of legitimacy often missing from the crypto discourse. It proves that integrating digital assets at a national level requires more than just hype—it demands fiscal discipline and a clear-eyed vision.

Maybe the old guard is finally learning that in today's economy, sometimes you have to mine for growth, not just print it.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised El Salvador for its continued economic growth. The IMF has been working closely with President Nayib Bukele in facilitating the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, which was approved earlier this year for $1.4 billion.

IMF Praises El Salvador for its Economic Growth

According to the IMF, El Salvador’s economy has been expanding at a faster pace than expected. The international bank stated that record remittances, improved investors’ confidence, and buoyant investments will help the country achieve a 4% real GDP growth in 2025. 

Gradually, then suddenly. https://t.co/MWP0avqlDE pic.twitter.com/hYYONaRLcI

Is the Country’s Bitcoin Plan Over?

According to the EFF program, El Salvador agreed with the IMF to stop its Bitcoin accumulation plan. Additionally, El Salvador agreed to sell its Chivo wallet infrastructure and allow the private sector to operate freely with BTC as a legal tender.

“Negotiations for the sale of the government e-wallet Chivo are well advanced, and discussions with regard to the bitcoin project continue, centered on enhancing transparency, safeguarding public resources, and mitigating risks,” the IMF report noted. 

However, on-chain data analysis from Arkham shows that El Salvador has continued with its daily Bitcoin accumulation. Despite the IMF’s restrictive efforts on El Salvador’s Bitcoin plan, Arkham shows that the country has been accumulating on a daily basis to about 7,508 BTCs at press time. 

Market Impact

The continued unwavering support for Bitcoin by El Salvador has bolstered its macro bullish outlook. El Salvador’s President Bukele has remained close to U.S. President Donald Trump, which has also widened the country’s Bitcoin adoption plan.

As such, the Bitcoin price is well-positioned to follow the gold and silver outlook. With Bitcoin having a fixed supply amid rising global demand, El Salvador is well positioned to repay its public debt with Bitcoin gains in the near future.