El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings Cross $632 Million, Drawing Bukele’s Praise

As a seasoned researcher with a keen interest in the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies, I find myself both awestruck and amused by El Salvador’s Bitcoin saga. Having closely followed the volatility of this digital gold rush for years, it’s fascinating to witness a nation boldly stepping into the crypto arena.

Experts have noted that a nation in South America has seen significant gains in Bitcoin investments, thanks largely to the cryptocurrency market boom driven by Donald Trump. The value of this country’s digital currency holdings is now hitting record highs.

After the world’s first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, reached an unprecedented peak of $106,488 per coin, El Salvador’s total Bitcoin holdings surged to an impressive value of approximately $632 million.

Portfolio Increased By Over 133%

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador couldn’t hide his excitement when he announced, via his Twitter account, the significant profits his nation reaped from their Bitcoin investment, as the cryptocurrency’s value surpassed $106,000.

As a proud crypto investor, I can’t help but share the exciting news that our nation’s Bitcoin portfolio has skyrocketed by an impressive 134%, reaching a staggering $632 million! The leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, reached yet another remarkable milestone, breaking its previous record with a new high of $106,488. This incredible surge in value significantly boosts the worth of our country’s crypto holdings, making us all feel even more optimistic about the future of digital currencies in El Salvador.

— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) December 16, 2024

In a recent social media post, the president of a South American nation revealed that their Bitcoin venture brought in over $350 million. This substantial gain comes as a result of the latest surge in the cryptocurrency market.

President Bukele formulated El Salvador’s approach to investing in Bitcoin by purchasing 5,966 Bitcoins initially valued at approximately $270 million. Presently, the country’s Bitcoin holdings are worth around $632 million, given that the price of a single Bitcoin surpassed $106,000.

Bitcoin As Legal Tender

2021 saw El Salvador becoming the trailblazer among nations when it officially recognized Bitcoin as a valid form of currency within its borders, making it the first country to take such a step in the South American region.

According to Bukele, adopting Bitcoin might make the nation less dependent on the U.S. dollar. Moreover, he suggests that this digital currency could help foster financial inclusion and stimulate economic expansion.

On the other hand, numerous residents within the nation expressed doubts regarding cryptocurrencies, primarily due to the unpredictability linked with digital currencies.

As an analyst, my skepticism towards Bitcoin intensified in 2022 when its value dipped beneath $17,000, causing a ripple of concern among potential investors in El Salvador, particularly those who had been contemplating this digital currency as part of their investment portfolio.

However, it appears that President Bukele’s cryptocurrency venture has proven successful, as the worth of the nation’s digital currency holdings now exceeds a staggering $600 million.


BTC price retreats to $104k in the last 24 hours. Source: Coingecko
IMF Calls On El Salvador To Reconsider

It’s possible that El Salvador has made a significant stride in its Bitcoin investment. Nevertheless, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remains skeptical about the substantial earnings from cryptocurrency and encourages the Bukele administration to re-evaluate their pro-Bitcoin policy.

Experts caution that cryptocurrency can be both beneficial and risky due to its high volatility. They point out that while the current market value looks promising, it’s essential to remember that this value could potentially decrease as well.

Despite ongoing debate, President Bukele remains committed to his Bitcoin investment, further proposing a plan to move some national Bitcoin holdings into a secure cold wallet located within the country’s boundaries.

Furthermore, his plans include the creation of a modern city based on Bitcoin, envisioned as a tax-exempt zone running entirely on the nation’s geothermal energy.

Read More

2024-12-18 15:42