IMF Confirms El Salvador Bitcoin Additions From Private Donations

The International Monetary Fund has confirmed that El Salvador's recent additions to its Bitcoin reserve came from private donations, not public funds, clarifying a key point of contention in the country's financial program. The disclosure was made in a September 3, 2026, statement announcing a staff-level agreement on the combined second and third reviews of El Salvador's Extended Fund Facility. According to the IMF, documentation provided by Salvadoran authorities verified that all Bitcoin accumulation since the conclusion of the first program review on June 27, 2025, reflected private donations. The Fund stated that no public resources were used for these acquisitions. This explanation addresses questions that arose after El Salvador reported acquiring 1,090 BTC, worth approximately $100 million, in November 2025, which had renewed concerns about compliance with its IMF commitments. The agreement, which still requires approval from the IMF's Executive Board, could unlock approximately $140 million in financing for El Salvador. The country has already received about $172 million under the 40-month, $1.4 billion loan program approved in February 2025.