IMF Unlocks $140 Million For El Salvador After Bitcoin Retreat
The staff-level deal, struck September 3, still needs the IMF Executive Board's sign-off before any money moves.
- The tranche equals $140 million, a slice of the $1.4 billion EFF approved in February 2025.
- El Salvador made Bitcoin acceptance voluntary, dropping the mandate merchants faced since 2021.
- Control of the state's Chivo wallet passed to a private operator, IMF staff said.
Why it matters: Follow the money: a lender's signature moved a bitcoin law five years of Salvadoran politics never touched.
IMF Press Release No. 26/285 (El Salvador SLA on 2nd/3rd EFF Reviews, Sept 3, 2026) ↗ · Sep 10, 20269/10/26