El Salvador profits as global Bitcoin holdings rise
Under President Nayib Bukele, the El Salvadoran government has accumulated 5,900 BTC, generating significant profits from an initial investment, with Bitcoin’s price recently surpassing $100,000.
A new report by Bitcoin exchange River reveals that over 13 nations now hold Bitcoin, with El Salvador standing out as the only country to make direct purchases. President Nayib Bukele’s government has accumulated 5,900 BTC, achieving profits of $333.59 million from an initial $269.74 million investment, fuelled by Bitcoin’s recent surge past $100,000.
The United States leads global holdings with 208,100 BTC, most acquired through enforcement actions. The United Kingdom holds 61,200 BTC, while China has 15,000 BTC. Other nations, such as Bhutan and Norway, rely on mining or wealth funds to gain Bitcoin exposure, avoiding direct purchases due to political risks and lack of secrecy.
El Salvador, which adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, faces scrutiny from the International Monetary Fund. The country is negotiating a $1.3 billion loan, potentially making Bitcoin adoption voluntary instead of mandatory for businesses. This agreement could secure an additional $2 billion in funding from international institutions if finalised.
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