El Salvador's bitcoin reserve grows to 7,740 coins, valued at $492 million

El Salvador's strategic bitcoin reserve has expanded to 7,740 coins, now valued at over $492.4 million, according to official records from bitcoin.gob.sv. This increase marks a significant accumulation for the Central American nation, which adopted bitcoin as legal tender nearly five years ago.

The government has been steadily adding to its holdings, acquiring 223 additional bitcoins since December 2025 through a strategy of purchasing one bitcoin daily. This consistent acquisition positions El Salvador as the second-largest country globally in direct bitcoin accumulation, surpassed only by Bhutan, as reported by the local newspaper Diario El Salvador.

Launched under President Nayib Bukele's initiative, the Bitcoin Law was approved in June 2021. While El Salvador became the first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender alongside the U.S. dollar, its widespread use among the population has been limited. Studies indicate that a significant majority, 92% of Salvadorans, did not use bitcoin in 2024, its lowest usage year since 2021.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has previously advised against the use and purchase of the digital currency. In response to evolving financial landscapes and potentially international recommendations, the Salvadoran Congress removed the obligation to accept bitcoin and the state's role in its usage in January 2025. It remains unclear if the executive branch plans to utilize this digital asset reserve for any specific short- or medium-term projects.