El Salvador’s recent announcement regarding its Bitcoin investment reflects a significant turnaround from its previous losses. President Nayib Bukele shared that the nation’s Bitcoin BTC -0.53% holdings had become profitable, with a gain of more than $3 million due to the cryptocurrency’s rally to around $42,000.
This profit comes after a period of loss where, based on earlier calculations, El Salvador owned approximately 2,744 bitcoins at an average price slightly lower than $42,000, facing a loss of about $16 million.
The surge in Bitcoin’s value, from its early 2023 range of $34,154 to approximately $42,073, significantly impacted El Salvador’s cryptocurrency portfolio. President Bukele stated that selling the Bitcoin reserves at the current market price would not only recover the entire initial investment but also yield an additional profit of $3,620,277.13.
El Salvador’s Bitcoin portfolio is currently valued at $130,888,719, with each coin worth $41,631.30 in U.S. dollars. Despite the potential financial gains from selling, President Bukele remains committed to retaining the cryptocurrency assets, emphasizing the government’s long-term strategy and awareness of potential future price fluctuations.
President Bukele also addressed the previous criticisms and losses associated with El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption. He called for retractions, apologies, or acknowledgment of the country’s current profitability, urging media outlets to report on the new situation with the same rigor as they did the past losses.
The recent increase in Bitcoin prices is attributed to market dynamics, including a $200 million short liquidation over the weekend, highlighting the cryptocurrency’s unpredictable and volatile nature.
El Salvador’s journey with Bitcoin began in September 2021 with an initial investment of $10.3 million, marking the nation as the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. The path, however, was challenging, with Bitcoin’s price plummeting by over 50% in the bear market. Despite this, President Bukele continued to invest in Bitcoin throughout 2022, employing a strategy of dollar-cost averaging consistent with his long-term vision. As of December 4, El Salvador’s total Bitcoin investment stands at $131 million, yielding a net profit of $3.6 million, a gain of 2.84%.
El Salvador faces ongoing challenges in integrating Bitcoin into its economy, including concerns voiced by skeptics and institutions like the International Monetary Fund. These concerns center around the risks of adopting Bitcoin as legal tender and the practical difficulties of using Bitcoin for everyday transactions. Despite these challenges, El Salvador plans to introduce Bitcoin education in state-run schools, indicating a commitment to integrating the cryptocurrency into its economic and social fabric.