IMF Flexes Muscle Over El Salvador’s Bitcoin Reserves in Loan Standoff

The IMF just drew a line in the sand—and it’s painted in Bitcoin orange. El Salvador’s hard-won crypto stash is now collateral in a high-stakes financial tug-of-war.

Loan sharks wear suits these days. The IMF’s latest power play puts El Salvador’s Bitcoin treasury squarely in its crosshairs, proving once again that decentralized dreams still answer to centralized bankers.

When your lender cares more about your assets than your GDP, you know modern finance has jumped the shark—or in this case, the laser-eyed one.

Despite IMF Oversight, El Salvador’s Bitcoin Wallet Keeps Growing

The update follows comments from economy minister Maria Luisa Hayem, who reiterated in April that Bitcoin remains a government priority. Speaking at the Web Summit in Rio de Janeiro, she confirmed that the country continues to accumulate Bitcoin despite the IMF program’s guidelines.

Since striking the deal in Dec. 2024, El Salvador has added at least 20 Bitcoin to its treasury.

As of May 2025, the country holds around 6,190 BTC, worth an estimated $675m with last BTC purchase made on 28 May. With Bitcoin prices soaring this year, the nation sits on unrealized gains of over $350m, according to government data.

IMF Backs Limited Crypto Exposure as El Salvador Pledges Economic Reforms

El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, a move that drew sharp criticism from multilateral lenders including the IMF. Talks over financial support stalled for years as the fund urged the country to reconsider its crypto policy. But the recent agreement signals a more pragmatic tone, with the IMF allowing limited crypto exposure while insisting on broader economic discipline.

To secure the next $120m tranche of funding, the Salvadoran government has agreed to strengthen fiscal consolidation, raise bank liquidity requirements and implement civil service and pension reforms. The IMF said the deal remains subject to executive board approval and hinges on the country meeting prior agreed actions.

While the Bitcoin cap may frustrate crypto advocates, the Salvadoran administration appears determined to continue its digital asset experiment within the limits of international oversight.