Recent geopolitical turmoil has propelled gold to unprecedented heights. From China to the United States, markets are seeking refuge, and central banks are rushing to fill their coffers. So, heading towards gold? For El Salvador, this orientation is not taboo. Under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele, the country combines the old and the new: gold, a timeless safe haven, and bitcoin, the symbol of a decentralized financial future. A bold strategy in the face of global economic upheaval.
In brief
- El Salvador purchased 9,298 ounces of gold for $50 million recently.
- Its total reserves now reach 67,403 ounces, or approximately $360 million.
- The government also holds 7,547 bitcoins, valued at around $635 million.
- Bukele combines gold and bitcoin to diversify the economy and strengthen national monetary independence.
El Salvador bets on gold: caution above all
In a context where the global economy is faltering, El Salvador, favorable to bitcoin investment banks, has chosen caution: strengthening its gold reserves. Banco Central de Reserva (BCR) announced, via a post on X, the purchase of 9,298 troy ounces, or approximately $50 million. This operation brings the national total to 67,403 ounces, valued at around $360 million.
According to the press release, this decision consolidates the national heritage in the long term and maintains a prudent balance in the composition of international reserves. A clear approach: preserve the country's economic stability in the face of an increasingly uncertain world.
This policy is not isolated. In 2025, central banks around the world 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 is a strong signal: build financial autonomy through tangible assets.
This orientation also strengthens the credibility of a country often observed with skepticism since its adoption of bitcoin in 2021. Gold, in short, balances the audacity of digital with the weight of reality.
Bitcoin, a political bet and a global economic showcase
Alongside its gold rush, El Salvador continues its accumulation of bitcoin. True to its “1 BTC per day” commitment, the government now holds 7,547 bitcoins, valued at approximately $635 million. This strategy, sometimes criticized, is part of a logic: making bitcoin a tool of economic sovereignty and a symbol of independence from the dollar.
President Nayib Bukele also reacted on declaring, with humor: “ We just bought this other drop » . A phrase that has become emblematic of its strategy: buy the decline, whatever the cost, and bet on the long term.
But not everyone shares his enthusiasm. Like the underlines John Gloverinvestment director at Leden:
As market instability increases, capital flows into traditional safe havens like gold and the Swiss franc. Bitcoin has not yet lost its nature as a risky asset, which continues to move in concert with stocks in times of crisis.
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-air monetary laboratory.
Between tangible gold and digital bitcoin: the Salvadoran quest for balance
Far from choosing between tradition and innovation, El Salvador prefers complementarity. Gold provides security, while bitcoin embodies transformation. This hybrid model reflects an ambition: to bring together ancient metal and blockchain technology to stabilize an emerging economy.
And in a world where currencies are vacillating and the Fed is influencing lower rates, this strategy charts an alternative path: that of resilience.
However, the bet remains risky. Bitcoin lost nearly 19% in one year, while gold jumped 95%, surpassing $5,400 per ounce. Critics speak of an imbalance; Bukele speaks of a long-term vision.
In short, Salvadoran economic diplomacy is now based on a duo of contrasting but complementary assets, symbol of a country that wants to combine prudence and modernity.
Key facts and figures to remember
- Banco Central de Reserva purchased 9,298 ounces of gold, or $50 million;
- Total reserves reach 67,403 ounces, valued at $360 million;
- The country holds 7,547 bitcoins, worth about $635 million;
- Central banks acquired 863 tonnes of gold in 2025 (World Gold Council);
- The price of bitcoin is currently trading at $83,150.
In periods of crisis, investors turn to safe values: gold and silver. Even stablecoin giant Tether recently purchased gold at a level comparable to central banks. However, bitcoin retains its magnetism: a risky asset, certainly, but carrying a promise that El Salvador has no intention of abandoning.
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