El Salvador aligns gold and bitcoin to secure its economic future

Recent geopolitical turbulences have propelled gold to unprecedented heights. From China to the United States, markets seek refuge, and central banks hurry to fill their vaults. So, a course towards gold? For El Salvador, this direction is no taboo. Under the impetus of President Nayib Bukele, the country combines the old and the new: gold, the timeless safe haven, and bitcoin, a symbol of a decentralized financial future. A bold strategy in the face of global economic upheavals.

El Salvador bets on gold: caution above all

In a context where the global economy is wavering, El Salvador, favorable to bitcoin investment banks, has chosen caution: to strengthen its gold reserves. The Central Reserve Bank (BCR) announced, via a post on X, the purchase of 9,298 troy ounces, approximately 50 million dollars. This operation brings the national total to 67,403 ounces, valued at around 360 million dollars.

According to the statement, this decision consolidates the nation’s long-term wealth and maintains a cautious balance in the composition of international reserves. A clear approach: preserving the country’s economic stability in an increasingly uncertain world.

This policy is not isolated. In 2025, central banks worldwide purchased 863 tons of gold, according to the World Gold Council. Poland, China, and Turkey led the way. For El Salvador, a small dollarized state, this sends a strong signal: building financial autonomy through tangible assets.

This direction also reinforces the credibility of a country often viewed skeptically since its adoption of bitcoin in 2021. Gold, in short, balances the boldness of digital with the weight of reality.

Bitcoin, a political bet and a global economic showcase

Alongside its rush for gold, El Salvador continues its accumulation of bitcoin. Faithful to its “1 BTC per day” commitment, the government now holds 7,547 bitcoins, valued at approximately 635 million dollars. This strategy, sometimes criticized, fits a logic: making bitcoin a tool of economic sovereignty and a symbol of independence from the dollar.

President Nayib Bukele also reacted on X humorously, saying: “We just bought this other dip“. A phrase that became emblematic of his strategy: buy the dip, at all costs, and bet on the long term.

But not everyone shares his enthusiasm. As John Glover points out, chief investment officer at Leden:

As market instability rises, capital flows toward traditional safe havens like gold and the Swiss franc. Bitcoin has not yet lost its risky asset nature, which continues to move in tandem with stocks during crises. 

Despite this volatility, Bukele persists: for him, bitcoin is the future of an economy freed from external pressures. Between political conviction and economic bet, El Salvador fully embraces being an open monetary laboratory.

Between tangible gold and digital bitcoin: El Salvador’s quest for balance

Far from choosing between tradition and innovation, El Salvador prefers complementarity. Gold ensures security, while bitcoin embodies transformation. This hybrid model reflects an ambition: to make the millennial metal and blockchain technology coexist to stabilize an emerging economy.

And in a world where currencies wobble and the Fed influences every rate, this strategy charts an alternative path: resilience.

Yet, the bet remains risky. Bitcoin lost nearly 19% in one year, while gold soared 95%, surpassing 5,400 dollars per ounce. Critics speak of imbalance; Bukele speaks of a long-term vision.

In short, El Salvador’s economic diplomacy now rests on a duo of contrasting but complementary assets, symbolizing a country wanting to combine caution and modernity.

Key facts and figures to remember

• The Central Reserve Bank bought 9,298 ounces of gold, worth 50 million dollars;
• Total reserves reach 67,403 ounces, valued at 360 million dollars;
• The country holds 7,547 bitcoins, worth about 635 million dollars;
• Central banks acquired 863 tons of gold in 2025 (World Gold Council);
• The bitcoin price currently trades at 83,150 dollars.

During crises, investors turn to safe values: gold and silver. Even Tether, a giant of stablecoins, recently bought gold at a level comparable to central banks. Yet, bitcoin retains its magnetism: a risky asset, certainly, but bearing a promise that El Salvador has no intention of abandoning.