The International Monetary Fund (IMF) commended El Salvador for its unexpected economic growth in a statement released on Monday.
The update notably excluded previous IMF recommendations that El Salvador would pause its bitcoin accumulation strategy, a tactic the country — led by President Nayib Bukele — has maintained since securing an IMF loan package several months ago.
In a departure from its usual approach of daily bitcoin acquisitions, El Salvador added over 1,000 BTC to its national treasury strategy during November’s significant selloff. The government has now gathered nearly 7,500 BTC valued at approximately $660 million based on current rates.
The IMF acknowledged that negotiations for the sale of the Chivo crypto wallet are “well advanced.” Ongoing discussions about the Bitcoin initiative focus on improving transparency, protecting public resources, and reducing risks,” the agency added.
The IMF stated that El Salvador’s economy is growing at a pace quicker than initially expected, supported by enhanced confidence, record remittances, and strong investment. Real GDP growth is anticipated to reach about 4%, with a “very good” outlook for 2026.
In March, El Salvador finalized a $3.5 billion loan agreement with the IMF. “Close collaboration with Salvadoran authorities is expected to persist in the forthcoming period, aiming to establish a staff-level agreement on all necessary policies and reforms to finalize the second review of the EFF program,” the IMF commented.
