El Salvador adds Bitcoin, but is complying with IMF deal — Director

El Salvador, the world’s first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, is still acquiring Bitcoin despite comments from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) appearing to claim the opposite.

The treasury of El Salvador acquired 7 Bitcoin (BTC) worth over $650,000 in the seven days leading up to April 27, blockchain data from El Salvador’s Bitcoin Office shows.

When asked about the country’s Bitcoin investments, Rodrigo Valdes, director of the Western Hemisphere Department at the IMF, said that the country continues to comply with its agreement to halt government Bitcoin accumulation.

“In terms of El Salvador, let me say that I can confirm that they continue to comply with their commitment of non-accumulation of Bitcoin by the overall fiscal sector, which is the performance criteria that we have,” said Valdes during an April 26 press briefing.

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“But on top of that, I think this is very important for the discussion in El Salvador,” he added. “The program of El Salvador is not about Bitcoin. It’s much more, much deeper in structural reforms, in terms of governance, in terms of transparency.”

In December 2024, El Salvador struck a deal with the IMF for a $1.4 billion loan, which required the government to drop Bitcoin’s status as a legal tender and stop its BTC accumulation.

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Flexible interpretation leaves room for Bitcoin buys

The IMF’s agreement may still enable room for purchases through non-governmental entities, according to Anndy Lian, author and intergovernmental blockchain adviser.

“The IMF’s ‘flexible interpretation’ suggests purchases may involve non-public sector entities or reclassified assets, maintaining technical compliance,” Lian told Cointelegraph, adding:

“This alternative approach allows El Salvador to retain its Bitcoin-friendly image while securing critical IMF funding to address unsustainable public debt and limited reserves.”

Lian added that El Salvador’s strategy highlights the growing tension between financial innovation and traditional economic policies.

“El Salvador’s experience offers valuable lessons for nations exploring crypto adoption, emphasizing the need for robust regulatory frameworks and state capacity to navigate international financial pressures,” he added.

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