El Salvador has signed a $1.4 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This agreement includes regulations concerning Bitcoin’s adoption as legal tender in the country. The IMF expects this condition to enhance El Salvador’s economic stability and reduce its debt burden.
IMF’s Critical Regulatory Demands for the Bitcoin Project
The IMF has clarified its regulatory demands regarding El Salvador’s Bitcoin 
$98,539 project. The acceptance of Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 negatively impacted the country’s credit rating in international markets. The IMF has particularly emphasized the need to mitigate the risks associated with this policy.
The country has agreed to reshape its Bitcoin projects. The requirement for the private sector to utilize Bitcoin has been lifted. Despite challenges in projects like the Chivo wallet, improvements are being made in the crypto infrastructure. According to the IMF’s announcement, these steps have significantly reduced the risks of the Bitcoin project.
Impact of the Chivo Wallet and Economic Reforms
El Salvador’s Chivo crypto wallet project has faced numerous technical challenges since its launch in 2021. Despite having over 3 million users, the daily transaction rate for the Chivo wallet has remained below 2%. The Bukele government is looking to generate alternative paths by reducing reliance on Chivo.
In this context, reforms have been made regarding Bitcoin’s legal status. The discounted buyback of bonds supports new financial policies aligned with the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions, aiming to restore confidence in the bond markets. The strategic use of Bitcoin as a reserve is attracting interest from external markets, with figures like Elon Musk praising this strategy.
The long-term contribution of this agreement to El Salvador’s economy remains eagerly anticipated.
