El Salvador Buys More Bitcoin

El Salvador has once again expanded its Bitcoin reserves, purchasing 11 BTC—worth roughly $1.1 million at today’s prices. This latest acquisition pushes the country’s total holdings to 6,067 BTC, further cementing its status as the world’s first Bitcoin stockpiler.

The move comes shortly after El Salvador agreed to roll back some of its pro-Bitcoin policies in exchange for a $1.4 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite winding down the Chivo wallet and halting tax payments in BTC, the government remains committed to Bitcoin as a legal tender and continues accumulating BTC for its national reserves.

At current market prices, El Salvador’s Bitcoin stockpile is valued at around $600 million, with BTC bouncing back to $100,000 amid global economic shifts, including a potential trade war between the U.S., Canada, China, and Mexico.

BTC Strategy Aligns with U.S. Negotiations

El Salvador’s increased Bitcoin buying isn’t happening in isolation. The country has also finalized an agreement to accept deported criminals and migrants from the U.S. in exchange for financial compensation.

President Nayib Bukele announced the deal after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following an earlier phone call between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Bukele. While there’s no official confirmation that Bitcoin was a topic of discussion, speculation is brewing.

The January 23 call between Trump and Bukele coincided with Bitcoin’s surge to $105,000, hinting at trader optimism over possible U.S.-El Salvador cooperation on BTC.

A U.S. Bitcoin Reserve?

El Salvador’s unwavering Bitcoin strategy may signal a larger trend. The U.S. government has already moved toward exploring a national digital assets stockpile.

Trump recently signed an executive order titled “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology,” creating a working group to explore crypto-related strategies. The group has 180 days to submit regulatory and legislative proposals, which means a decision could emerge by July.

One key takeaway from the order is that any U.S. Bitcoin reserve might be built from lawfully seized assets—such as Silk Road funds and other confiscated BTC. The U.S. government currently holds nearly 1% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply, so a policy shift could have major market implications.

A Global Bitcoin Accumulation Race?

While the U.S. deliberates, individual states are already moving forward. A fifth of all U.S. state legislatures are currently considering Bitcoin reserves, a sign of growing government interest in crypto as a sovereign asset.

El Salvador’s decision to increase its Bitcoin purchases—surpassing its previous one-BTC-per-day strategy—could also suggest that countries are preparing for a future accumulation race.

As governments and institutions reconsider Bitcoin’s role in financial sovereignty, El Salvador may just be ahead of the curve—again.